Wildfires Erupt Along Syria’s Coast Amid Severe Drought

Syrian firefighters face immense challenges as wildfires spread through the coastal region.

Wildfires have erupted across Syria's coastal area, with more than 3,500 incidents recorded in recent months as the country endures one of the most severe droughts in its history. The civil defense organization known as the White Helmets mobilized additional teams to combat the wildfires that ignited in the mountainous Latakia province. Abdul Kafi Kayal, the head of the White Helmets' coastal division, indicated that firefighting operations are hampered by the difficult terrain and the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance that date back to the 13-year civil war.

In a recent audio message, Kayal expressed hope for some level of containment in the coming hours, although strong winds have exacerbated the fire situation, leading to greater spread into new areas. Raed al-Saleh, the minister of emergency and disaster management, informed the state news agency SANA that the frequency of wildfires had significantly escalated since the spring, with the majority occurring across nearly all of Syria's governorates between April and June. The destructive combination of drought and lingering war debris continues to strain the country's already fragile state.