In a statement today, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the government is in touch with its mission in Damascus who are also in contact with approximately 25-30 Indian citizens living in Syria. "Previously, we had advised all Indian citizens in Syria to return to India. They have once again been advised to leave Syria. The earlier advisory for Indian nationals not to travel to Syria also remains in effect," the statement said.
This comes on a day when a Syrian security official was quoted by news agency AFP as saying that the country expects a military attack "at any moment".
"We are expecting an attack at any moment. We are ready to retaliate at any moment," said the Syrian security official, who wished to remain anonymous.
The team of UN experts probing a suspected gas attack blamed on the regime has already left the country. The departure of the UN inspectors has opened a window for a possible US strike after President Barack Obama on Friday gave his clearest indication yet that a military intervention was imminent.
He said his administration was looking at the possibility of a "limited, narrow act", while stressing no final decision had been taken on whether to unleash military strikes against Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The UN inspectors are due to report straight back to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon and detail their conclusions on whether a poison gas attack actually did take place on August 21, based on samples collected on site.
The Syrian regime has denied being responsible for the alleged incident - which Washington says killed more than 1,400 people.
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