Lattakia, SANA–Firefighting teams continue their operations for the fifth straight day, with over 80 field units and approximately 180 firefighting vehicles engaged in efforts to extinguish wildfires raging across northern Lattakia countryside.
The Director of the Civil Defense in the Syrian Coast, Abdul Kafi Kayyal,, stated to SANA that while the fires have persisted for five consecutive days, progress has been made in containing several hotspots. All participating teams—including Civil Defense units and crews from Turkey and Jordan—are making substantial efforts to prevent the flames from spreading into new green areas.
Kayyal indicated that three areas are currently affected: Ras al-Basit, Qastal Maaf, and Rabia, with ongoing operations aimed at halting the fires’ advance. He added that major efforts were also made last night to suppress forest fires that had intensified in two sites: Jabal al-Turkman and al-Furnloq Reserve.
In support of these operations, the Republic of Lebanon has deployed two firefighting helicopters, scheduled to begin operations today, Monday. This initiative follows similar contributions from Turkey and Jordan, which have sent ground crews and firefighting aircraft over the past two days.
To date, the wildfires in northern Lattakia countryside have damaged more than 10,000 hectares. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has established a special emergency operations room to monitor the situation of those affected by the fires and to provide all forms of urgent assistance.
Iman/Manar Salameh
