Fires continued to rage for the sixth consecutive day on the Syrian coast, consuming vast areas of natural forests in the northern Latakia countryside. This is compounded by conditions that complicate firefighting operations, including terrain, climate, and war remnants, according to sources who spoke to Al-Quds Al-Arabi. This has increased fears that the fires could spread to new areas and hotspots, particularly the forests of the Farnaq Reserve. While Damascus has requested European support, it has confirmed that there is no evidence that the fires are deliberately set.
Operations Room
The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, confirmed on Tuesday that the Joint Operations Room is in permanent session, monitoring the developments of the fires in the forests of the northern Latakia countryside, assessing risks, and coordinating field responses to ensure rapid action and effective extinguishing.
He noted in a post on the X platform that firefighting teams are facing significant challenges, most notably the high wind speeds, which have contributed to the expansion of the fires, which have so far consumed approximately 14,000 hectares. He added that flames had reached the Ghassaniya area in the Kasab district, necessitating the precautionary evacuation of more than 25 families for their safety. No casualties were reported.
16 Aircraft
He explained that the number of aircraft participating in the firefighting operations has reached 16 so far, and is expected to rise to 20 in the coming hours, given the growing need for intensive air support. He also expressed hope for a rapid response to the European Union's call for assistance, in parallel with ongoing contacts with neighboring countries, including Cyprus, which is expected to send a support aircraft to support the firefighting operations during the day.
Civil Defense and firefighting teams are operating in Latakia, along with firefighting teams from Turkey and Jordan, with active participation from Syrian, Turkish, Jordanian, and Lebanese air forces. Efforts are currently focused on the valleys and foothills of the Basit area, where the fires spread to new areas overnight, amid strenuous efforts to contain the flames and prevent them from reaching residential areas.
While Interior Minister Anas Khattab denied that the fires were caused by arson, he confirmed that there was no evidence that they were deliberately set.
He said that security forces had set up roadblocks on secondary roads in the areas affected by the fires, noting that the ministry was providing protection for local and foreign rescue teams participating in extinguishing the fires.
He stated that the ministry was "monitoring the developments of the tragic fires on the coast and the ongoing efforts to control them." He added that "thanks to the great efforts of the workforce and firefighting and rescue teams, no civilian casualties were recorded, and this is an achievement to be credited to all of them."
Mines Fueling the Fires
Ahmed Yaziji, a member of the Civil Defense Board of Directors, revealed to Al-Quds Al-Arabi the exceptional challenges facing firefighting teams, noting that the most significant difficulties lie in the proliferation of mines and remnants of war, especially in the northern and northeastern countryside of Latakia, as these areas are among the most contaminated with war remnants in Syria.
He added that the area witnessed fierce fighting in 2013, and that the Assad regime had displaced residents, most of whom now live in the Khirbet al-Joz camps in the western Idlib countryside. They were unable to return due to the density of mines, making the movement of firefighting teams risky. He explained that the explosion of each mine or unexploded ordnance opens a new path for the fire, increasing its spread and threatening the safety of volunteers.
He highlighted winds as a major factor in the expansion of the fire, saying that high wind speeds contribute to pushing flames into deep valleys and difficult-to-reach mountain peaks. He pointed out that the rugged terrain in the area hinders the movement of ground teams and affects the effectiveness of air operations.
He pointed out that the geographical distance from water sources poses an additional challenge, especially in densely forested areas, such as Jabal al-Turkman and the Farnaq Reserve, where there are insufficient water points to support ground firefighting operations.
Yaziji emphasized that high temperatures, coupled with active winds, lead to the daily resumption of fires. Although field teams successfully contained the fires during the night, winds are picking up again in the morning, reigniting fires in areas previously contained.
According to a Civil Defense official, the area affected so far has exceeded 10,000 hectares, and estimates indicate that losses could increase dramatically if the fires spread to the forests of the Farnaq Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Syria, covering an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers.
According to the source, the reserve, known for its unique biodiversity, contains a large number of endangered animal species, and any widespread damage there would constitute an irreversible environmental disaster. The Civil Defense official also expressed fears that the fires could reach the area in the coming days if the weather conditions continue.
He said: "Civil Defense teams recorded injuries to 15 firefighters, including five from Turkish firefighting teams. The Ministry of Health announced that two civilians sustained minor injuries as a result of the fires approaching their residential areas, without requiring emergency medical intervention."
He also confirmed to Al-Quds Al-Arabi that there is high-level coordination with neighboring countries, with firefighting teams and helicopters from Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan providing support. He noted that new countries may join the support efforts in the coming hours or days, as part of an expanding regional response.
Concluding his remarks, the spokesperson emphasized that the effects of this disaster will be very significant, especially in light of the climate change conditions witnessed in the region. He emphasized that the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management is working in cooperation with local and international institutions and is making every effort to mitigate the scale of the disaster, both at the environmental and societal levels.
In the same context, the Syrian Civil Defense confirmed that its teams are facing significant difficulties in controlling the forest fires in the Latakia countryside due to the activity of southwesterly winds, which are hindering extinguishing efforts.
He explained that the wind activity began yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, and is expected to continue until the evening hours, accompanied by gusts estimated at 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. He warned of the spread of fires to new locations and hotspots, which could exacerbate the disaster.
He pointed out that weather factors are a major factor in the spread of fires, their intensification, and their spread to new locations, as the wind carries sparks from the fires. He also noted that rising temperatures exacerbate the fires.
He confirmed in a report that the Civil Defense teams of the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the Forestry Fire Brigade of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the volunteer efforts of residents and humanitarian organizations are continuing their response operations. This is supported by ground teams from Jordan and Turkey, as well as air support operations from helicopters from the Syrian Ministry of Defense and support helicopters from Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.
The report noted that all teams are working to control the fires in dozens of locations in the Latakia countryside and prevent them from reaching new hotspots or extending to the forests of the Kasab region, which is rich in forest resources.
In parallel, the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria announced the dispatch of firefighting teams and logistical assistance to Latakia Governorate to participate in firefighting efforts, in a response it described as "humanitarian and patriotic."
Firefighting teams from the Ayn al-Arab/Kobani municipality headed to coastal areas to join the firefighting teams. The Ayn al-Arab municipal administration confirmed that the teams are equipped with all basic equipment and will provide full support in the firefighting efforts, based on "humanitarian and patriotic duty."
The Qamishli Fire Brigade also sent two fire engines fully equipped with the necessary equipment and materials, including chemical powder and foam.
Each engine included a driver and two firefighters equipped with protective suits, helmets, individual masks, and specialized boots to participate in the firefighting operations in the Latakia countryside.
The Environment Authority of the Autonomous Administration issued a statement describing the coastal fires as a "growing environmental disaster," threatening what remains of Syria's vegetation cover and exacerbating the climatic and economic crises the country has been experiencing for more than a decade.
The statement explained that the current fires are reminiscent of the environmental destruction inflicted on Syrian forests as a result of military operations, indiscriminate shelling, and ongoing attacks since 2011, stressing that "the deliberate fires are no less devastating than the war that has devastated Syria."
The Environment Authority called on the international community and environmental organizations to intervene and assist in protecting Syrian forests, stating that "environmental preservation is no longer a luxury, but a vital necessity related to human health and the future of future generations."
In the wake of the devastating fires, the United Nations announced its full readiness to support humanitarian response efforts, in cooperation with the Syrian Interim Authorities.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a press conference yesterday that UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the extent of the disaster and identify immediate humanitarian needs.
UN Support
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, commended the exceptional courage and dedication of firefighters and first responders. He affirmed the UN's commitment to supporting local authorities to provide timely and principled assistance to all affected communities.
According to the UN, "Wildfires have ravaged large areas of forest and agricultural land across 60 communities in the northern Latakia countryside, damaging civilian infrastructure and disrupting basic services. Hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes. Although efforts to contain the fires continue, strong winds, drought, rugged terrain, and the presence of unexploded ordnance are hampering progress toward extinguishing the fires."
By Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Syria Journal
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