India Advises Citizens To Avoid Travel To Syria After Islamist Rebels Capture Homs, Aleppo

India has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Syria looking at the ongoing violence in the country.

"In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an advisory issued on Friday.

On Thursday, Islamist rebels almost took control of the central Syrian city of Homs after capturing much of Aleppo, the country's largest city. Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Homs.

The MEA also asked Indians currently residing in Syria to remain in touch with the Indian embassy in Damascus.

"Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus at the emergency helpline number +963 993385973 (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates.

"Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," the advisory stated.