Government is monitoring the security situation in Iraq on an hourly basis in view of Indian nationals being stranded in violence-hit Tikrit and Mosul towns. Addressing media in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday said that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been monitoring and reviewing the situation on a regular basis. He said Ms Swaraj has asked Indian embassy in Baghdad to provide the Ministry with updated reports on the Indian nationals in the affected areas.

The spokesperson said, Secretary (West) Anil Wadhwa will chair a crisis management meeting later in the day to review all aspects of assistance that can be provided to the Indian nationals in the violence-hit areas.

Earlier today, Iraqi Ambassador to India Ahmed Derwari met Wadhwa and apprised him of the prevailing situation. They also discussed possibilities of ground level cooperation and assistance to help the stranded nationals.

The Indian embassy in Iraq is also in touch with international agencies to coordinate the safe exit of stranded nationals from the two cities once the situation improves. Indian government has already issued an advisory asking Indian citizens to consider leaving Iraq.