Damascus, Syria: The situation in Syria has become increasingly dire, with a leadership crisis unfolding as President Bashar al-Assad fled the country amid rebel attacks. In response, the Indian government has taken swift action to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens. Seventy-five Indians, initially in Syria, were first transferred to Lebanon before being flown back to India on multiple flights. One of them, Ravi Bhushan, who arrived in Delhi, shared his harrowing experience with the media.

Ravi Bhushan, a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, had moved to Syria in search of work and was residing in the capital, Damascus. He described the situation as chaotic: "Rebel forces took control of various regions and advanced toward the capital, Damascus. Local security forces were unable to stop them. Those who tried to resist were shot down. The general public panicked and took refuge in their homes. Soon after, President Assad fled, and it was announced that the rebels had seized control of Damascus."

Amid the uncertainty, Ravi feared for his life. "I wondered, 'Will we make it out alive?'" he recalled. "I immediately contacted the Indian embassy in Syria and informed them of the situation. They reassured me, saying, 'We are working on arranging your safe return, so there’s no need to panic.'"

India became the first country to launch a rescue operation in Syria. The Indian embassy reached out to every Indian citizen in the country, providing regular updates and offering immediate support when needed. Ravi explained how Indians across the country were informed about the next steps and guided on what to do hour by hour

Indian nationals were advised to make their way to the Lebanon border, where embassy officials helped them cross safely. From there, they were flown back to Delhi on different flights. Ravi Bhushan expressed his deep gratitude to the Indian government, as well as the officials from the Indian embassies in Lebanon and Syria, for their unwavering support and assistance in ensuring the safety of their citizens in such perilous circumstances.

He also highlighted the immense challenges faced by other foreign nationals in Syria, describing their plight as unimaginable.