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Extensive Efforts to Contain Wildfires in Latakia with Arab and International Support
The Minister of Emergency, Riad Al-Sa’l, confirmed that the large and ongoing teams involved in firefighting efforts, including Civil Defense teams and fire brigades, along with support from Turkish and Arab teams, achieved significant progress in combating the wildfires in Latakia on Saturday evening, July 12. The teams managed to halt the spread of flames on all fronts, marking an important step toward full control of the fires.
Al-Sa’l pointed out that the situation is improving and smoke is dissipating, with fire teams continuing intensive efforts to extinguish hotspots and cool down the burned areas, with a high likelihood of regaining control soon, followed by comprehensive cooling operations.
He explained that the assessment by the Operations Room indicated that the situation is the best it has been in ten days, despite ongoing wind threats. He emphasized efforts to prevent the rekindling of the fires and minimize damage as much as possible.
Al-Sa’l affirmed that success at this stage would not have been possible without God’s success, combined with concerted efforts, high coordination, broad popular support, and assistance from Turkish, Jordanian, Lebanese, Iraqi, and Qatari teams.
He concluded his statement by reaffirming that the government will not leave the site until the last blaze is extinguished, stating: “We promise our people not to stop until we achieve complete victory over the fires.”
Syrian firefighting teams, supported by Arab units, continue their intensive efforts to combat the fires that erupted in the areas of Jabal Al-Nisr, Burj Zahia, Al-Birka, Sheikh Hassan, and around Naba’a Al-Mara in the Latakia countryside.
Last night, the teams managed to control several hotspots along the Qasṭal Maaf – Kessab road, despite field challenges, foremost of which was the explosion of war remnants in the area.
Since the beginning of the fires on July 3, Latakia Governorate has seen over 15,000 hectares of forests damaged, amid intensive efforts by firefighting teams to contain the situation.
Earlier today, Qatari teams equipped with aircraft and equipment were dispatched to the Latakia countryside to participate in firefighting efforts, alongside Turkish and Jordanian teams and supporting institutions, to bolster control operations over the fires.
