Latakia, western Syria – Wildfires raging across areas of Latakia’s northern countryside in northwest Syria have continued for a fourth consecutive day, as Syrian Civil Defense teams (the White Helmets) and firefighting units work to contain the flames.
According to the White Helmets, their teams are battling fires in the Turkmen Mountain area, as well as blazes spreading between Basit, Qastal Maaf, and Rabia in northern Latakia.
Abdul Kafi Kayal, head of the Coastal Directorate in the Civil Defense, said the affected region has been divided into sectors to improve coordination, with additional support brought in from other Syrian provinces, according to state-run Ikhbariya TV.
Kayal explained that the teams still face significant challenges, including rugged terrain, leftover landmines and abandoned weapons, along with strong winds that continue to fuel the fires’ spread.
Meanwhile, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh confirmed on Sunday that he held a phone call with Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli to discuss the situation and coordinate further support.
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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Al-Saleh said both sides agreed to step up field coordination starting Sunday morning, by deploying more Turkish firefighting teams and aircraft without affecting Turkey’s own readiness.
In a separate post, Al-Saleh announced that Jordan had also confirmed its readiness to assist in battling the wildfires in Latakia’s countryside.
“I extend my deep gratitude and appreciation to our brothers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who have confirmed their readiness to send a specialized ground team, along with aerial support, starting Sunday morning to help extinguish the wildfires in Syria’s coastal region,” Al-Saleh said, adding that coordination with Jordan was handled through the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Saturday, the White Helmets reported that high winds and soaring temperatures had caused the fires to spread widely in the forests of Qastal Maaf near Ras al-Basit in northern Latakia. The organization posted video footage showing its teams working to contain the flames amid extensive fire spread.
The Civil Defense noted that firefighting teams are working to encircle the blazes and prevent them from expanding further, as reinforcements from other Syrian provinces continue to arrive.
