‘Folks roaming with AK-47’: The primary Indian rescued after Assad’s fall recounts Syria horror

‘Folks roaming with AK-47’: The primary Indian rescued after Assad’s fall recounts Syria horror

President Bashar al-Assad’s 14-year-old regime was dropped at an finish final week, with Syrian rebels celebrating a victory that appeared unimaginable simply months in the past. Nevertheless, amid the celebrations, a deeper disaster unfolded for these caught within the crossfire of this takeover.

Among the many many trapped in war-torn Syria was an Indian nationwide and businessman Ravi Bhushan, who together with 74 others, was rescued by the Indian embassy and boarded the primary flight again residence, in line with ANI.

“At current, the scenario in Syria is worst. There may be widespread panic…I might say that within the coming few days, scenario goes to be worse there,” mentioned Bhushan reflecting on his harrowing ordeal in Damascus.

Right here’s an in-depth take a look at his expertise throughout Syria’s turmoil and the extraordinary efforts that introduced him to security.

‘Folks firing in open, looting banks’

Ravi Bhushan, a businessman from Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, travelled to Syria for a work-related assembly, unaware of the chaos that may quickly engulf the nation. Initially, the scenario in Damascus appeared steady, permitting him to proceed along with his plans.

“I used to be there for some enterprise causes. That point the scenario was fairly okay. Even our buyer contacted the Indian embassy and mentioned that issues are okay there. However after 2-3 days, instantly the issues modified. So we weren’t anticipating these sort of issues,” Bhushan informed ANI.

On Sunday, the insurgent group
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, seized management of Damascus after capturing key cities like Idlib and Aleppo.

An individual gestures subsequent to a burning image of now ousted President Bashar al-Assad, after rebels seized the capital, in Qamishli, Syria on Sunday (December 8). Reuters

As rebels superior in direction of Damascus, the calm shortly gave approach to turmoil. Panic swept the streets as residents rushed to stockpile necessities and withdraw cash. Rania, an area girl, described the chaos: “The scenario was not like this once I left my home this morning… instantly everybody was scared,” she informed AFP.

The Syrian rebels then overthrew the federal government led by President Bashar al-Assad, ending his decades-long rule. Studies recommend that Assad has fled to Russia, the place he has been granted asylum.

Additionally learn:
Poor morale, reliance on international allies: The collapse of Assad’s military in Syria defined

Recounting the aftermath of the takeover, Bhushan described scenes of widespread anarchy.

“Persons are firing within the open street, bombarding, looting the banks. They broken the airport utterly. They’re damaging all of the automobiles that are parked within the resorts and in all places,” he mentioned, additional recalling how residents, many armed with AK-47 rifles, roamed the markets and streets of Damascus, including to the tense environment.

“The scenario will not be good there. I might say that within the coming few days, the scenario goes to be worse there,” he mentioned.

Because the rebels consolidate energy, Mohammed al-Bashir has been appointed caretaker prime minister to steer the interim authorities till March 1. Having beforehand headed the rebel-led Salvation Authorities, al-Bashir’s management begins in a deeply fractured Syria.

Additionally learn:
With Bashar al-Assad gone, who’s in command of Syria? What occurs subsequent?

A dramatic rescue

After escaping the turmoil in Syria, Ravi Bhushan prolonged his gratitude to the Indian authorities for its well timed intervention.

“India has began a rescue operation, and we’re the primary staff rescued from Syria. One of the best half is that they contacted every and everybody. They had been even motivating them and asking them in the event that they had been okay,” Bhushan informed ANI.

Bhushan shared that the Syrian embassy saved evacuees knowledgeable with hourly updates in regards to the rescue operation.

“If someone confronted any drawback relating to meals or something, they organized it. We’re very a lot grateful to the Indian authorities and Indian embassies in Lebanon and Syria, each locations,” he mentioned.

The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) in a late-night assertion mentioned it coordinated the
rescue mission with the Indian embassies in Damascus and the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Ravi Bhushan, who together with 74 others, was rescued by the Indian embassy and boarded the primary flight again residence. Among the many Indians rescued had been 44 ‘zaireen’ pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir who had been stranded in Saida Zainab. ANI

Bhushan additionally mirrored on the plight of different nationals caught within the disaster. He described witnessing youngsters and girls from different international locations sitting exterior in freezing temperatures for hours.

“We noticed how folks from different international locations had been struggling. We noticed young children and girls, how they had been made to sit down exterior for over 10-12 hours within the 4-5 diploma temperature. It was actually horrible. However due to Indian authorities, we didn’t face any such sort of subject,” Bhushan mentioned.

Among the many 75 Indians rescued had been 44 ‘zaireen’ pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir who had been stranded in Saida Zainab. The group safely crossed into Lebanon and returned to India on business flights, the Indian embassy in Lebanon confirmed.

The MEA has urged Indian nationals nonetheless in Syria to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus and has offered emergency helpline numbers and e-mail IDs for help.

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