New Delhi, June 25 – Seventeen more Indians have been evacuated from Iraq’s conflict zone, the government said on Tuesday. “With the help of (Iraqi) authorities, we have been able to evacuate 17 more Indian nationals from the conflict zone.
They are now in Baghdad and will come back very soon,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. Akbaruddin said 39 Indians abducted and in captivity in Mosul had “not been hurt or harmed”. The 46 Indian nurses in Tikrit were also safe, he added.
“In the zone of conflict, there are limited numbers of Indian nationals,” he said. “We remain intent on helping every Indian national in the conflict zone and beyond those areas.” He also said that the MEA helpline in Baghdad was working 24×7 for assisting Indian nationals. The MEA has also set up offices in Najaf, Karbala and Basra to assist Indian nationals.
The MEA on Tuesday also issued this travel advisory for Indians in Iraq:
1. The security situation in Iraq continues to be fragile. A travel advisory had been issued on 15 June 2014 for Indian nationals in Iraq.
2. Due to the uncertain and difficult security environment, Indian nationals in Iraq are again advised to remain indoors if they are in conflict-prone areas, and to leave the country on voluntary basis by commercial means, in areas where it is safe to do so. Indian nationals are advised to refrain from undertaking travel to Iraq until further notice. Airports in the cities of Erbil, Baghdad, Basra and Najaf are reported to be operational at present.
3. Indian nationals in Iraq who need assistance in this regard may wish to contact the Indian Embassy in Baghdad on the 24 hour helpline as per the contact details indicated in the previous travel advisory of 15 June, 2014.
Tel. No: +964 770 444 4899 (Mobile)
Tel No: +964 770 484 3247 (Mobile)
Email: amb.baghdad@mea.gov.in
hoc.baghdad@mea.gov.in
cons.baghdad@mea.gov.in
edubaghdad@yahoo.com
Website: www.indianembassybaghdad.in
4. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad will shortly open camp offices in Najaf, Karbala and Basra for the convenience of Indians nationals in Iraq. Details will be intimated once these offices are set up.
-INDIA TODAY
