For the fifth day, firefighting teams continue their efforts to control the Latakia fires

For the fifth consecutive day, firefighting teams in Syria continue to battle the fires raging in the northern Latakia countryside, amid difficult field and climatic conditions. They have made some progress in controlling several hotspots.

The Director of the Civil Defense in the Syrian Coast, Abdul Kafi Kayal, told SANA that the efforts have resulted in relative progress in controlling some of the fire sites, noting that efforts are continuing to contain the fires that threaten new green areas.

According to Kayal, efforts are focused on three main areas currently affected by fires: Ras al-Basit, Qastal Ma'af, and Rabia. They are also working diligently to stop the spread of the fires toward the Kasab district, which includes the largest forest reserve in Syria.

He pointed out that extinguishing operations are being carried out with the participation of Civil Defense teams and forestry brigades, in addition to direct support from Turkish and Jordanian teams, within the framework of joint field coordination.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported on its official Telegram channel that fires intensified in two dangerous locations overnight: a valley in the steep Turkmen Mountains and the dense forests of Al-Farnaq. It confirmed that teams are working to cut off the fire's spread despite the difficult terrain and strong winds.

In a supportive development, Lebanese authorities announced the allocation of two firefighting helicopters to support firefighting efforts. These helicopters will begin their field missions today, joining Turkish and Jordanian teams that have been operating in the field for two days.

For its part, the Syrian Ministry of Interior has dispatched additional human and logistical reinforcements to the Latakia countryside, in coordination with the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, to support field operations and ensure the protection of residents and the environment.

More than 80 firefighting teams and approximately 180 various vehicles are currently operating within a joint operations room established by the Ministry of Emergency, which includes representatives from ministries and local organizations. This includes Syrian army units (land and air) and support helicopters, along with volunteers and residents from the affected areas.

According to official estimates, the fires have so far destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of forest land, marking the worst wave of fires the region has seen in years. The fires pose significant challenges, including rugged terrain, high wind speeds, and the presence of mines and other remnants of war.