The Ministry of Emergency and Disasters has formally requested assistance from the European Union to help extinguish the wildfires raging in the Latakia countryside, according to Syrian state-run channel “Al-Ikhbariya syria .”
Raed Al-Saleh, Minister of Emergency and Disasters, stated that the ministry had contacted the European Union for support in putting out the fires in rural Latakia. He confirmed that firefighting planes from Cyprus would intervene today and that “broader international involvement” is expected.
The wildfires in the Latakia countryside have continued for the sixth consecutive day, with flames reaching the outskirts of Ghassaniyeh village and the Sheikh Hassan area in the Kasab region. In the early hours of Tuesday, July 8, the fires approached residential areas due to increasingly strong winds.
Speaking at a press conference from the fire site, attended by Enab Baladi, Al-Saleh said that strong winds overnight caused the fires to spread toward the village of Ghassaniyeh (Falk) in northern rural Latakia. He noted that Civil Defense teams managed to evacuate women and children and extinguished the fire with the help of local youth.
Firefighting teams from Turkey and Jordan are participating in the operations alongside Turkish, Jordanian, Lebanese, and Syrian aircraft. On Monday, 16 aircraft were involved, and the number may reach 20 today, according to Al-Saleh.
He stressed that protecting civilians remains the top priority. No fatalities have been reported, although the fire has spread to multiple areas. Ten Civil Defense personnel have been injured, mostly suffering from smoke inhalation.
Al-Saleh pointed to several challenges complicating firefighting efforts: severe weather conditions, lack of firebreaks in the mountains, unmaintained forests with a buildup of dry wood, and the presence of unexploded war remnants, which hinder access and containment.
According to a post by the Syrian Civil Defense on Facebook, the fires have reached the surroundings of Ghassaniyeh village—now evacuated—as well as the forests of Sheikh Hassan in the Kasab area and the mountain slopes in the Basit region of rural Latakia.
Teams are working to contain the fires across vast forested areas to prevent further spread.
Protecting the Core of al-Furnlaq Reserve a Top Priority
Majd Suleiman, Director of the Forestry Directorate, stated Monday evening that the fires have spread to the southern and southwestern parts of al-Furnlaq Reserve, affecting villages such as Qastal Maaf, al-Mazraa, Beit Malek, al-Qantara, and al-Khadraa—all areas with dense pine and forest coverage, according to Al-Ikhbariya Syria.
He added that the village of Atira in the northeastern part of the reserve has also been affected. This area is considered ecologically significant in the southern zone of the reserve.
The Forestry Directorate is focusing on protecting the core of the reserve and areas rich in biodiversity, particularly the semi-virgin oak forests, which are of great environmental importance, Suleiman noted.
Firefighting teams are working to isolate the Kabir axis and al-Furnlaq forests to prevent the flames from spreading to other regions.
Suleiman pointed out that the total area of the reserve is approximately 5,360 hectares, requiring intensive efforts to preserve this vital ecological zone from the ongoing wildfires.
According to a statement from the Syrian Civil Defense team, the fires have reached the al-Furnlaq forests, significantly expanding the fire zone and making containment more difficult.
The team explained that Civil Defense units, forest fire brigades, and Turkish firefighting teams have made substantial efforts to control the fires, especially in two critical locations—Jabal Al-Turkman and al-Furnlaq forests. The fires spread through a steep valley in Jabal Al-Turkman, where teams worked to block the fire’s path and are still trying to extinguish the flames.
The fires also broke out in several new spots toward al-Furnlaq’s dense and rugged forests, where high wind speeds continue to fuel the spread. Fire crews are working relentlessly to halt the advancing flames.
Syria Requests European Union (EU) Assistance to Contain Latakia Wildfires Enab Baladi.
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