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Syria's Coastal Fires Close the Khibas Border Crossing with Turkey
For several days, Syrian fire and civil defense teams have been working tirelessly to extinguish fires raging in various areas of Latakia countryside, especially in the northern forests of the region. In light of recent developments, Mazen Aloush, Director of Public Relations at the General Authority for Border and Marine Crossings, announced that the Khibas border crossing with Turkey has been temporarily closed on the Turkish side.
Aloush stated on the platform “X”: "Notice to our travelers passing through the Khibas border crossing: We inform you that the crossing on the Turkish side has been temporarily closed due to the ongoing fires in the coastal mountains and their proximity to the border area." He emphasized the importance of understanding this emergency measure and wished safety for the people of Latakia countryside, praying that the fires are extinguished and harm is kept at bay.
Over recent days, Syrian fire and civil defense teams have intensified their efforts to contain fires spreading across multiple areas of Latakia countryside, notably the northern forests, Zahiya Tower, the Furn al-Luq forests, and the Nabae Al-Mir area near Kisb. These areas are among the most challenging sectors due to dense vegetation, rugged terrain, and the widespread presence of landmines and remnants of war, as reported yesterday by civil defense on their Telegram channel.
The firefighting efforts involve over 150 civil defense and firefighting teams, in addition to teams from various institutions, ministries, and volunteer groups, supported by 300 firefighting vehicles, dozens of logistical vehicles, and heavy engineering equipment. This equipment is used to divide the forests into accessible sectors and to clear paths for firefighting crews.
Joint ground firefighting teams from Turkey and Jordan are also participating in suppression efforts, while on the aerial front, 16 aircraft from Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon are conducting coordinated operations to combat the fires and minimize their devastating impact.
