Wildfires ravage over 7,000 hectares in Syria’s Latakia
LATAKIA , Syria (North Press) – Wildfires have scorched more than 7,000 hectares of forest in the mountainous regions of Latakia, western Syria, prompting authorities to declare the situation a major environmental and climate emergency.
Raed al-Saleh, Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, announced the formation of a joint operations room to coordinate efforts to contain the expanding fires.
In a statement to the state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, al-Saleh confirmed that over 90 firefighting teams and more than 150 vehicles are currently engaged in suppression efforts across Latakia countryside, with assistance from Turkish and Jordanian partners.
“The wildfires in Latakia’s countryside represent an environmental and climate disaster for Syria,” Saleh said.
He noted that firefighting operations are being severely hampered by several factors, including strong winds, landmines, and remnants of past conflicts that pose significant risks to response teams.
In a statement on his X, al-Saleh explained that the newly formed operations room includes several active Syrian organizations that have begun delivering logistical and field support.
This includes the provision of water tankers, trained volunteer teams specialized in firefighting, and heavy equipment used to create firebreaks and help contain the spread of the flames.
The coordinated response aims to prevent further escalation as wildfires continue to threaten forested areas and nearby communities in Syria’s coastal regions.