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Coastal Fires: A Mural... You have the freedom of expression, and we have the freedom to destroy... Assad or we burn the country.
Amid ongoing wildfires in the Syrian Coastal region, residents' suffering is escalating, and the challenges to firefighting efforts and community unity are increasing. In this context, a new controversy has arisen concerning freedom of expression and the potential escalation of conflict. Syrian Civil Defense personnel in Latakia discovered a mural on a wall bearing a provocative message that reads: “You have the freedom of expression, and we have the freedom to destroy... Assad or we burn the country.”
Several videos have circulated across social media platforms, showing figures of remnants of the regime (referred to as "the remnants") deliberately setting fires in forests, at a time when rescue teams are still working to extinguish the flames under harsh weather conditions, with participation from Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. These incidents were accompanied by varying statements, where Syrian Crisis and Disaster Management Minister Riad al-Saleh confirmed that the damages were limited to material losses, with minor injuries among civilians and eight Civil Defense personnel.
In a press conference, al-Saleh pointed out that landmines and the lack of firebreak lines, along with the previous regime’s neglect of forests, had been among the factors hindering firefighting efforts. He explained that the impact of the fires was catastrophic, with more than 80 teams supported by hundreds of vehicles working in the field to create firebreaks and secure routes for firefighters. He expressed hope that the fires could be controlled within the next day, provided weather conditions remain stable, but clarified that a definitive declaration of the end of the fires would require days of monitoring and follow-up.
At the end of his statement, al-Saleh noted that over 10,000 hectares of forest have been damaged and that coordination is ongoing with international organizations to develop plans for restoring the area. He also mentioned plans to provide appropriate compensation to those affected. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation among various entities to organize efforts and achieve control over the disaster, he indicated that the debate over symbolic messages and protests continues amid an atmosphere of tension and instability in the region.
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