Canadians are being strongly advised to “avoid all travel” to Syria as the ongoing conflict in the region continues to escalate.
On December 8, Global Affairs Canada issued an updated travel advisory urging Canadians to prioritize their safety.
“Avoid all travel to Syria due to ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance,” reads the update.
However, for Canadians currently in Syria, the government is urging them to “consider leaving if it’s safe to do so.”
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Global Affairs Canada stated in a November 27 update that the “security situation is volatile” as armed groups have taken control of the cities of Aleppo, Homs, and Hama. Airports in Damascus and Aleppo are closed, as are the border crossings from Syria to Jordan and Lebanon.
The BBC reports that after days of intense fighting, Hama fell to the rebels on Thursday, which forced the military to withdraw. They then took over Homs and, on Sunday, entered Damascus and released detainees in a military prison.
Reports from activists and army officers state that President Bashar al-Assad fled by plane to an “undisclosed location,” marking the end of five decades of Assad family rule.
Canadians affected by the conflict can contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre for assistance.
The website also states, “You should also register or update your contact information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, shelter in place until you can identify safe means to leave the country, exercise extreme caution at all times, and always be aware of your surroundings.”
You can check here for more information.