Forest Fires in Latakia Continue for the Sixth Day as Flames Approach Homes

Firefighting teams continue their efforts to control the raging fires in the Syrian province of Latakia for the sixth consecutive day. The flames have spread to the vicinity of Al-Ghassaniyah village in the Ras Al-Basit district and have started approaching homes as the wind speed intensifies.

Abdul-Kafi Kayal, the director of civil defense in the Syrian coast, confirmed in a statement to SANA agency that the teams are working to extinguish the fires and prevent their spread, in addition to evacuating and securing residents in safer places. Kayal stated: "The firefighting teams are making great efforts to control the fires and prevent further expansion".

Civil defense and forestry firefighting teams are participating in the extinguishing operations, supported by Turkish and Jordanian teams, in addition to aerial support from Syrian, Turkish, Jordanian, and Lebanese aircraft.

In recent years, Syria has witnessed an increase in forest fires and severe heat waves due to climate change resulting from human activity, leading to higher rates of drought and decreased rainfall.

In June last year, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that Syria had not experienced such adverse weather conditions in 60 years, as reported by AFP. The organization highlighted that unprecedented drought threatens more than 16 million people with food insecurity.