Russia’s embassy in Damascus has warned its citizens they may need to leave Syria as rebel forces approach the strategic city of Homs, with the regime’s struggle to slow the militants’ rapid offensive spiralling into a deepening crisis for Bashar al-Assad.
Russia, which has been supporting Assad’s government by targeting the rebel forces with air strikes, said its citizens could leave the country on commercial airlines via accessible and functioning airports. The embassy and consulate continued to function as normal, it added.
“Due to the difficult military and political situation in Syria, the Russian embassy in Damascus reminds Russian citizens living in Syria of the possibility of leaving the country on commercial flights through operating airports,” the embassy said in a statement.