Syria Crisis: New Delhi urgent advisory emphasized that those who are able should depart Syria on the earliest available commercial flights. For those unable to leave the advisory urged them to exercise maximum caution regarding their safety and limit their movements as much as possible.
New Delhi:
Amid growing concerns over the worsening situation in Syria the Government of India issued a late night advisory urging all Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice.
New Delhi urgent notification further advised those who can are urged to leave (Syria) on the earliest available commercial flights. For those unable to depart the advisory recommended they take utmost care regarding their safety and minimize their movements.
What is happening in Syria and How bad is the Situation?
Syria is currently in the midst of intense political turmoil with the Bashar Al Assad regime backed by Russia and Iran facing increasing pressure from rebel groups and militias supported by Turkey. Over the past week these rebel forces have launched a swift offensive across Syria with the aim of toppling President Bashar al assad.
According to a war monitor Islamist led rebels have reached the outskirts of Homs one of Syria key cities. Additionally several other cities have fallen out of government control with some transitioning without any armed conflict. The situation remains highly unstable and continues to deteriorate.
The offensive by Islamist rebels has been so rapid that Syria second largest cit, Aleppo and the strategically important city of Hama have already fallen from President Bashar al assad control. This marks the first time since the civil war began in 2011 that such key areas have been lost.
Bashar al assad family has ruled Syria for over five decades but for the first time it seems vulnerable to a complete collapse. If the rebels capture Homs it would sever the connection between the seat of power in Damascus and the Mediterranean coast a critical stronghold for Bashar al assad.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human rights by Friday morning the Islamist rebels were within five kilometers of the edge of Homs.
Who is behind this and What is his Past
Abu Mohammed al jolani the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al sham (HTS) rebel alliance has explicitly stated that the objective of this offensive is to overthrow Bashar al assad and end his rule in Syria.
When we talk about objectives the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal Jolani told CNN in an interview.
The alliance leading the offensive which began on November 27 is headed by HTS group originally linked to the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. However in recent years HTS has tried to moderate its image while continuing its aggressive push against Assad regime.
Abu Mohammed al jolani is also known as the blue eyed boy of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Several years ago he was detained at the notorious US facility in Iraq. However al jolani who was once considered a lost cause by the US has emerged from the shadows and is now a significant power player in Syria. He leads the Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) rebel alliance which has been at the forefront of the offensive against President Bashar al Assad regime.
Interestingly the Islamist rebels launched their offensive in Syria on the same day a ceasefire took effect in the war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah which along with Russia and Iran has been a staunch supporter of Bashar al assad government.
Syria fate hangs in the balance
Turkey which has fully supported the rebels announced on Friday that it Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts this weekend in Qatar for an emergency discussion on the situation in Syria.
Meanwhile the political wing of the HTS led rebel coalition has reportedly reached out to Russia and China for support in their struggle for liberation from the decades long Syrian regime under Bashar al assad. They have expressed interest in establishing official diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Beijing.
The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria also met on Friday in Baghdad to discuss the ongoing developments in Syria.
Russia which is heavily involved in the war in Ukraine has not yet disclosed its stance on the situation in Syria or its next steps. However Moscow has suggested it may provide limited support to the Bashar al assad regime to help defend against the rebel forces.
