Indian citizens advised to leave Syria

Indian citizens in Syria have been advised to leave the strife-torn country, a statement said Saturday after the US hinted at a possible military attack on the Middle East nation.

According to a statement from the spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs: "All Indian citizens are safe. Previously, we had advised all Indian citizens in Syria to return to India. They have once again been advised to leave Syria."

The Indian mission in Damascus is in touch with the two dozen plus Indians there.

"We are in touch with our mission in Damascus who are also in contact with the approximately 25-30 Indian citizens in Syria," said the spokesperson

The government said its earlier advisory for Indian nationals not to travel to Syria also remains in effect.

US President Barack Obama has maintained that the US was contemplating a military intervention to punish Syria's President Bashar al-Assad for a "brutal and flagrant" chemical weapons attack it says killed over thousand people in Damascus 10 days ago.

However Obama has ruled out sending troops to the country.

--Indo-Asian NewsService

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