Latakia fires rage for sixth day as officials launch support campaign
In a joint press conference held Tuesday, July 8, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Mr. Raed Al-Saleh, and the Governor of Latakia, Mr. Mohammad Osman, addressed the ongoing crisis. Also present was Mr. Munir Mustafa, Director of Syrian Civil Defense, who emphasized the dedication of firefighting teams despite limited access to many of the affected areas.
In response to the scale of the destruction and the growing humanitarian impact, officials announced the launch of the 'With Our Hands, We Revive It' campaign. The initiative aims to support families affected by the fires, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and restore the region's forests and agricultural lands.
Thousands of acres have already been scorched, forcing residents from their homes and threatening vital agricultural production in the region. Authorities urged the public to stay clear of affected areas and support relief efforts through official channels.
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Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
Latakia wildfires contained as Syria thanks regional support
After 10 days of relentless wildfires tearing through the forested countryside of northern Latakia, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, announced that civil defense and firefighting crews have successfully halted the fires' expansion on all major fronts. In a statement posted on X, Saleh said, 'After intensive efforts from our civil defense teams, firefighting brigades, and supporting Turkish and Arab units, we have reached a promising milestone. The spread of the fires has been stopped across all axes — a critical step toward full containment.' بعد جهود كبيرة ومستمرة من فرق الإطفاء في الدفاع المدني وأفواج الإطفاء والفرق التركية والعربية المساندة في إخماد حرائق الغابات في اللاذقية وصلت الأعمال مساء اليوم السبت 12 تموز لمرحلة مبشرة، إذ تمكنت الفرق من وقف امتداد النار على كافة المحاور وهي الخطوة الأهم باتجاه السيطرة على… — Raed Al Saleh ( رائد الصالح ) (@RaedAlSaleh3) July 12, 2025 He added that visible improvements are now apparent, with smoke beginning to lift and crews continuing to extinguish remaining hotspots and cool the areas already brought under control. 'According to current data, we are moving toward full control of the situation,' he said. 'Next comes the comprehensive cooling phase.' Saleh emphasized that the progress achieved would not have been possible without joint efforts and regional solidarity. 'Today's outcome is the result of divine favor, strong coordination, unified efforts, widespread public support, and the assistance of firefighting teams from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar,' he said. Despite improving conditions, officials remain cautious. Winds continue to pose a threat of reigniting fires, and dangerous terrain, including minefields and unexploded ordnance, has made firefighting operations perilous. For the past 10 days, Syrian firefighting units and allied teams have worked tirelessly to prevent the wildfires from reaching ecologically sensitive areas, including the Fronlok and Kesab forests. Flames had reached the outskirts of these regions in recent days. Fire crews successfully established strategic firebreaks that have so far prevented the blaze from entering those zones, a major victory under extremely difficult circumstances. As the country now shifts toward full containment and cooling operations, officials say the focus will remain on preventing flare-ups and ensuring the protection of what remains of Syria's northern green belt.
Ammon
4 days ago
- Ammon
With Jordanian and international support, most of Latakia fires under control
Ammon News - Syria announced on Thursday that the firefighting teams have achieved near-complete control over most of the fire sites, except for two points in Turkmen Mountain (Jabal Turkmen) that are difficult to access. Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh said, in a statement, that cooling operations began at 4:00 a.m. after the outbreak was extinguished, but strong winds led to the resurgence of fires in some areas. Al-Saleh explained, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), that the first point is located in a valley that can only be reached by air, while the second is located on the slope of a mountain planted with mines. It experienced scattered explosions this morning, with no injuries reported among the team members. In the same context, the minister indicated ongoing coordination with European countries and Iraq to activate air intervention, pointing out that Turkey sent 12 firefighting planes and specialized vehicles and ground teams, as well as teams and aircraft from Jordan and Lebanon. These also participated, along with air support from the Syrian Ministry of Defense. Minister al-Saleh said that a member of the Civil Defense team was seriously injured as a result of some personnel being trapped in the flames, adding that the remaining teams are continuing their work with full readiness, including forestry, firefighting, civil defense, and international teams. The minister concluded by emphasizing that the situation remains under control in most areas, and that efforts are continuing to fully control the fires, despite the significant challenges posed by the rugged terrain and weather fluctuations.
Roya News
5 days ago
- Roya News
Latakia fires rage for sixth day as officials launch support campaign
For the sixth consecutive day, wildfires continue to devastate forested regions in the Latakia countryside, as Syrian emergency teams struggle to contain the flames amid challenging terrain and intensifying winds. In a joint press conference held Tuesday, July 8, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Mr. Raed Al-Saleh, and the Governor of Latakia, Mr. Mohammad Osman, addressed the ongoing crisis. Also present was Mr. Munir Mustafa, Director of Syrian Civil Defense, who emphasized the dedication of firefighting teams despite limited access to many of the affected areas. In response to the scale of the destruction and the growing humanitarian impact, officials announced the launch of the 'With Our Hands, We Revive It' campaign. The initiative aims to support families affected by the fires, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and restore the region's forests and agricultural lands. Thousands of acres have already been scorched, forcing residents from their homes and threatening vital agricultural production in the region. Authorities urged the public to stay clear of affected areas and support relief efforts through official channels.
