The advisory has been issued in the wake of fresh clashes in Syria between the government-backed forces and the rebels
In the wake of the deteriorating situation in Syria, the Government of India has put out an advisory to all Indian nationals to completely “avoid all travel to Syria until further notification.”
 
“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 a statement released on Friday.
 
In the statement, which shared an emergency helpline number and an email ID, the MEA appealed to all Indians currently in Syria to “remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.”
 
“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 MEA said.
 
The emergency helpline number shared is for the Indian Embassy in Damascus. It is +963 993385973. This number can also be used on WhatsApp, the statement read, adding an emergency email ID as well - which is hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.
 
According to media reports, strife has hit Syria again as rebels opposed to Bashar al-Assad’s government have wrested control of Daraa, a city that sparked the West Asian country’s 2011 uprising. Rebels are also closing in on Homs, a critical city that links Damascus, Syria’s capital city to Assad’s coastal strongholds.
 
Following the rise in the offensive, more than 280,000 people have been displaced, according to UN estimates. In Homs, which has endured some of the conflict's deadliest violence, tens of thousands of residents, particularly from Assad's Alawite minority, are fleeing in anticipation of the rebels’ arrival.