Wildfires have scorched more than 15,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land in the Latakia countryside, burning unchecked for over a week despite ongoing suppression efforts by Syrian Civil Defense teams and international allies.
Firefighting teams faced particularly intense challenges overnight in the Sheikh Hassan valley in the Kostel Maaf district, where steep terrain and shifting winds allowed flames to spread beyond containment lines. The Civil Defense described the valley as inaccessible by vehicle and surrounded by mines and war remnants—hazards that continue to complicate response operations.
“The rugged geography and sudden wind shifts have made this operation one of the most difficult in recent memory,” Civil Defense Director Munir Mustafa said in a televised interview from northern Latakia. He added that crews are opening fire lines to isolate new flare-ups near Jabal al-Nisr and are working to storm valleys to prevent further spread.
International Support Grows Amid Ongoing Crisis
As local crews stretch into their eighth day of continuous work, support from neighboring countries has become critical. Turkish and Jordanian helicopters, along with Ministry of Defense aircraft, have been targeting hotspots unreachable by ground units. Iraq also deployed 10 fire trucks with accompanying water tankers and personnel.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh thanked Iraq for its assistance and confirmed that crews from Raqqa, Hasaka and Deir Ezzor provinces have joined the containment efforts. “This firestorm has tested every logistical limit we have,” Saleh said in a statement posted Thursday on X. “We are grateful for the regional solidarity in confronting it.”
Despite the destruction, Saleh said most fire zones are now under control, with the exception of two areas in Jabal Turkmen—one accessible only by air, the other surrounded by landmines. The fires have already forced the evacuation of hundreds of families across the region.
UN Pledges Emergency Funding
The United Nations announced a $625,000 emergency allocation on Thursday to support relief operations in Latakia. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdulmoula said the funds will help partners like the Syrian Arab Red Crescent deliver urgent assistance to those displaced.
“The forest fires have had devastating consequences for local communities,” Abdulmoula said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people in this emergency.”
A UN assessment team has also begun working with local authorities to evaluate damage and needs across affected villages.
Regional and Local Response Continues
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim bin Muhammad al-Budaiwi, expressed solidarity with Syria and affirmed the GCC’s support in addressing the fires’ aftermath. Meanwhile, the Syrian Civil Defense emphasized its continued coordination with joint operations rooms to mitigate further loss.
“These are some of the worst environmental disasters we’ve seen,” Civil Defense official Abdulkafi Kayal said. “But with ongoing efforts and international backing, we are working toward full containment.”
