Speaking on July 8, Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, confirmed that contact had been made with the EU to request additional firefighting support. The fires, which began on July 3, spread rapidly to the village of al-Ghassaniyah in northern Latakia province due to strong overnight winds.

“Civil defense teams managed to evacuate women and children and extinguish flames with the help of local villagers,” al-Saleh said. So far, 10 civil defense personnel have been injured—mostly due to smoke inhalation.

Efforts are being bolstered by teams and aircraft from Türkiye, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. On Monday, 16 firefighting aircraft were in operation, with the number expected to rise to 20 as EU involvement is considered.

War Debris and Weather Fuel the Blaze

The minister warned that dry vegetation, high temperatures, and unexploded war remnants are worsening the crisis. “There is a real risk of explosions from remnants of war waged by the former regime over the past 14 years,” he added.

While no fatalities have been reported, officials say civilian protection remains the top priority. Latakia’s dense forests and mountainous terrain often see wildfires in summer, but this year's outbreak is among the most severe in recent memory.