Over 3,500 Indians have been evacuated from conflict-hit Iraq in the last one month even as nearly 50 Indian nationals still remain in the conflict zones of the war-torn country. They include 39 construction workers who are in captivity in Mosul. The Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said, all efforts are being made to secure their release. The government has been in touch with all the neighbouring Gulf countries for the release of the workers.

There were about 10,000 Indians before the start of the serious strife between government troops and Sunni militants backed by al Qaeda in Iraq. With MEA facilitating the departures, it is estimated that there are about 6500 Indians left in the non-conflict zones . Most of these Indians are in Kurdistan and Basra which are non-conflict zones.