As wildfires continue to devastate Syria’s coastal region, emergency efforts are hampered by the country's volatile conditions left over from the civil war.
Wildfires Rage Along Syria's Coast Amid Severe Drought Crisis
Wildfires Rage Along Syria's Coast Amid Severe Drought Crisis
Amid one of Syria's worst droughts in decades, wildfires have surged, pressing firefighting teams into action against a backdrop of dangerous terrain and remnants of war.
In the latest developments, wildfires swept through the coastal region of Syria, marking a significant increase in such disasters during a severe drought period. The disaster has prompted Syrian firefighting units, particularly the White Helmets, to mobilize additional teams from across the nation. Last Friday, blazes erupted in areas around Latakia, a mountainous region along the Mediterranean coastline.
Abdul Kafi Kayal, the head of the White Helmets’ coastal division, revealed that firefighting operations face considerable challenges due to the rugged landscape and the hazardous remnants of unexploded ordnance from the 13-year civil war. “We hope that in the coming hours, we will see some level of containment,” Kayal stated in a recorded message, highlighting how strong winds have further exacerbated the situation.
The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, acknowledged the growing wildfire threats this season, confirming that over 3,500 fires have been reported from various governorates since the beginning of spring, indicating a worrying trend that continues as the summer progresses. The ongoing drought, the worst the region has faced in decades, exacerbates the fire conditions and threatens the fragile ecosystems and communities that are still recovering from years of conflict.
Abdul Kafi Kayal, the head of the White Helmets’ coastal division, revealed that firefighting operations face considerable challenges due to the rugged landscape and the hazardous remnants of unexploded ordnance from the 13-year civil war. “We hope that in the coming hours, we will see some level of containment,” Kayal stated in a recorded message, highlighting how strong winds have further exacerbated the situation.
The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, acknowledged the growing wildfire threats this season, confirming that over 3,500 fires have been reported from various governorates since the beginning of spring, indicating a worrying trend that continues as the summer progresses. The ongoing drought, the worst the region has faced in decades, exacerbates the fire conditions and threatens the fragile ecosystems and communities that are still recovering from years of conflict.
