Forest Fires Continue to Rage in Northern Latakia Countryside for the Third Consecutive Day

The northern Syrian province of Latakia continues to witness raging forest fires, leading to the evacuation of several villages to protect the residents' lives. Firefighting teams are facing significant challenges due to the rapid spread of fires fueled by strong winds.

Videos and images circulating on social media show the extensive damage caused by the fires in the northern Latakia countryside, affecting areas such as Qastal Ma'af, Kassab, Al-Basit, Beit Al-Qaseer, Farnlq, Zghreen, and Jabal Al-Turkman. Authorities have deployed reinforcements from the internal security forces to support the firefighting teams.

The Syrian Civil Defense Forces received support from the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra to combat this disaster in Qastal Ma'af. The Syrian Interior Minister, Anas Khatib, stated that "the heroes of the internal security forces are working alongside the civil defense for hours to extinguish the fires and protect the residents from the growing threat."

Continuous efforts around the clock are being made by civil defense teams, emergency services, and firefighting units from various ministries and provinces to contain the fire spread and prevent it from reaching more villages, despite harsh weather conditions hampering firefighting operations.

The situation in the northern Latakia countryside is described as catastrophic, with escalating fires posing a tough challenge amid warnings of a hot summer season and increasing risks to the environment and local communities.