AANES dispatches firefighting units to aid Hama, Latakia efforts

By Muaz al-Hamad

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced on Friday the dispatch of firefighting vehicles to assist in extinguishing large wildfires raging in Syria’s Hama and Latakia governorates.

Fawza Yousef, co-chair of the AANES delegation in talks with the Syrian  transitional government, confirmed the decision in a post on the platform X. She urged “joint efforts to safeguard forests and extend mutual assistance,” emphasizing the importance of uncovering “the causes behind the repeated outbreak of these fires.” She described the destruction of trees as “a crime” warranting accountability for those responsible.

The fires, which have been spreading rapidly due to strong winds, have engulfed large areas of forest in the Kassab region of Latakia’s countryside, extending into the Shatha area in the al-Ghab Plain in Hama, and re-igniting in rural Jableh.

In a separate statement, the Qamishli Fire Brigade declared full readiness to respond to the call for assistance from residents of Kassab and surrounding areas. “Our members will be present wherever duty calls, standing alongside communities in facing disasters and protecting lives and property,” the brigade said.

Syrian Civil Defense teams continue to work in multiple locations in Latakia’s northern countryside, focusing on preventing the flames from reaching residential neighborhoods. Efforts are being hampered by shifting winds, which have caused the fires to flare up in several previously contained spots.

Local authorities in affected areas have appealed for additional resources, including heavy firefighting equipment and trained personnel, to contain the fires before they cause further damage to farmland and residential areas.

The AANES initiative marks one of the largest cross-regional firefighting support efforts undertaken this year, reflecting ongoing cooperation between communities in different parts of Syria to address natural disasters.

Firefighting teams from Qamishli are expected to arrive in the affected regions later today, joining ongoing suppression operations in coordination with local fire brigades and civil defense units.