In brief
Firefighting teams struggle with rugged terrain and lingering mines from the civil war, as 3,500 wildfires spark across Syria.
With relentless wildfires breaking out in Syria's coastal region, the nation is grappling with more than just flames. It's facing one of the worst droughts it has seen in decades, sparking an urgent response from firefighters and government officials alike. Since the beginning of the summer, over 3,500 wildfires have ravaged the country, with crews from Syria's civil defense agency, the White Helmets, racing to manage the crisis. New fires ignited in the mountainous Latakia region, forcing the White Helmets to mobilize additional firefighting units from different parts of Syria. Abdul Kafi Kayal, the coastal division director, emphasizes that their efforts are severely hindered by the rugged landscape and the persistent threat of mines and unexploded ordnance left from Syria's long civil war. "Containment efforts are challenging due to strong winds that exacerbate the spread," Kayal noted in a recent voice recording. Meanwhile, Raed al-Saleh, Syria’s minister of emergency and disaster management, highlighted the uptick in wildfires, particularly since early spring. With the fires affecting nearly every governorate, the crisis showcases the fragile state of the country as it battles environmental and historical legacies. Dark clouds of smoke blanket the country and nature struggles to recover, signaling a dire need for immediate action and support.
