Latest news with #RaedAl-Saleh
Roya News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Roya News
Latakia wildfires contained as Syria thanks regional support
After 10 days of relentless wildfires tearing through the forested countryside of northern Latakia, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, announced that civil defense and firefighting crews have successfully halted the fires' expansion on all major fronts. In a statement posted on X, Saleh said, 'After intensive efforts from our civil defense teams, firefighting brigades, and supporting Turkish and Arab units, we have reached a promising milestone. The spread of the fires has been stopped across all axes — a critical step toward full containment.' بعد جهود كبيرة ومستمرة من فرق الإطفاء في الدفاع المدني وأفواج الإطفاء والفرق التركية والعربية المساندة في إخماد حرائق الغابات في اللاذقية وصلت الأعمال مساء اليوم السبت 12 تموز لمرحلة مبشرة، إذ تمكنت الفرق من وقف امتداد النار على كافة المحاور وهي الخطوة الأهم باتجاه السيطرة على… — Raed Al Saleh ( رائد الصالح ) (@RaedAlSaleh3) July 12, 2025 He added that visible improvements are now apparent, with smoke beginning to lift and crews continuing to extinguish remaining hotspots and cool the areas already brought under control. 'According to current data, we are moving toward full control of the situation,' he said. 'Next comes the comprehensive cooling phase.' Saleh emphasized that the progress achieved would not have been possible without joint efforts and regional solidarity. 'Today's outcome is the result of divine favor, strong coordination, unified efforts, widespread public support, and the assistance of firefighting teams from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar,' he said. Despite improving conditions, officials remain cautious. Winds continue to pose a threat of reigniting fires, and dangerous terrain, including minefields and unexploded ordnance, has made firefighting operations perilous. For the past 10 days, Syrian firefighting units and allied teams have worked tirelessly to prevent the wildfires from reaching ecologically sensitive areas, including the Fronlok and Kesab forests. Flames had reached the outskirts of these regions in recent days. Fire crews successfully established strategic firebreaks that have so far prevented the blaze from entering those zones, a major victory under extremely difficult circumstances. As the country now shifts toward full containment and cooling operations, officials say the focus will remain on preventing flare-ups and ensuring the protection of what remains of Syria's northern green belt.
Roya News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Roya News
Latakia fires rage for sixth day as officials launch support campaign
For the sixth consecutive day, wildfires continue to devastate forested regions in the Latakia countryside, as Syrian emergency teams struggle to contain the flames amid challenging terrain and intensifying winds. In a joint press conference held Tuesday, July 8, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Mr. Raed Al-Saleh, and the Governor of Latakia, Mr. Mohammad Osman, addressed the ongoing crisis. Also present was Mr. Munir Mustafa, Director of Syrian Civil Defense, who emphasized the dedication of firefighting teams despite limited access to many of the affected areas. In response to the scale of the destruction and the growing humanitarian impact, officials announced the launch of the 'With Our Hands, We Revive It' campaign. The initiative aims to support families affected by the fires, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and restore the region's forests and agricultural lands. Thousands of acres have already been scorched, forcing residents from their homes and threatening vital agricultural production in the region. Authorities urged the public to stay clear of affected areas and support relief efforts through official channels.
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Syria fights fires for fourth day as Jordan sends help
100 square km of forest 'turned to ash' in wildfires DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities said some 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of forest had 'turned to ash' in wildfires as firefighters from neighboring Jordan arrived Sunday to battle a fourth day of blazes in the province of Latakia. Syrian emergency workers have faced tough conditions including high temperatures, strong winds, rugged mountainous terrain in the coastal province and the danger of explosive war remnants, in a country scarred by years of conflict. Jordanian civil defense teams crossed into Syria on Sunday morning, the Syrian ministry for emergency and disaster management said, as state media published footage of the convoy. Minister Raed Al-Saleh said on X that 'hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash'. He said some 80 teams including civil defense personnel had been battling the blaze, noting local organizations and residents were also providing assistance, along with teams and firefighting aircraft from neighboring Jordan and Turkey. Turkey, a key backer of Syria's new authorities, sent assistance including aircraft and fire engines on Saturday. Jordan's public security directorate said in a statement that the 'specialized firefighting teams from the civil defense... have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent'. Swathes of forested area and farmland have burned and some villages evacuated as the fires raged including near the Turkish border. The United Nations deputy envoy to Syria Najat Rochdi said in a statement Sunday on X that Damascus 'needs more international assistance' to face the fires. A statement from the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula said that 'UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs'. Nearly seven months after the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar Al-Assad, Syria is still reeling from more than a decade of civil war that ravaged the country's economy, infrastructure and public services. With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has also been battered by heatwaves and low rainfall. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization told AFP that Syria had 'not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years'. — AFP
Leaders
6 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Wildfires Erupt across Syrian Coast, Pose Threat to New Government
United Nations teams have deployed to the Syrian coastal region to help control the massive wildfires that destroyed thousands of hectares of forest, according to The Associated Press. The fires had destroyed 'hundreds of thousands of trees' covering an area estimated at 10,000 hectares (38.6 square miles), Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh posted on X. Al-Saleh also described the situation as 'extremely tragic.' Syria Wildfires (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images) UN teams have joined Syrian firefighters who are battling fires for a fourth day with strong winds, rugged terrain and the danger of landmines hampering the efforts. The blazes of the fire in the northwestern province of Latakia 'have forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, while vast tracts of agricultural land and vital infrastructure have been destroyed,' UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula said. Syria Wildfires (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) Crucially, Turkey and Jordan have supported Syrian civil defense teams with firefighting teams providing support from the air with helicopters. Meanwhile, emergency crews are also trying to halt the blazes from reaching the Al-Frunloq natural reserve, with its large, interconnected forests. Syria Wildfires (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) Currently, the teams are carrying out assessments to find out the scale of the disaster and consequently determine the urgent humanitarian need. Syria Wildfires (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) This catastrophe comes in a crucial time as Syria's new government strives to build a new recovered economy after over a decade of civil war and crippling sanctions that isolated Syria from the international community. Related Topics: UK Reestablishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria, British FM Visits Damascus Syria Unveils New National Emblem Boasting Golden Eagle Syria Labels Talks of Normalization Deal with Israel as 'Premature' Short link : Post Views: 183
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Syria: Jordan Makes Major Contribution to Extinguishing Latakia Wildfires - Jordan News
The Syrian Civil Defense announced Monday that significant efforts have been made by its firefighting teams, as well as Jordanian and Turkish firefighting units, in combating the wildfires raging in Jabal al-Turkman and the Al-Furunluq forests in northern Latakia. اضافة اعلان Abdul-Kafi Kayyal, head of the Civil Defense in Syria's coastal region, confirmed that after five consecutive days of fire, teams are making progress in containing hotspots. He praised the Jordanian and Turkish crews for their substantial contributions in preventing the flames from spreading further into new forested areas. Currently, three zones are under direct threat: Ras al-Basit, Qastal Maaf, and Rabia, with efforts focused on preventing the fire from reaching Kassab, home to one of Syria's largest forest reserves. On Sunday morning, and under Royal directives, Jordan's Public Security Directorate deployed specialized firefighting teams from its Civil Defense Department to help battle the blazes. Additionally, the Jordanian Armed Forces dispatched two Black Hawk helicopters, fully equipped with advanced gear and trained personnel to aid in fire suppression and protect lives and property. Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, stated that the joint operations—including ground and aerial firefighting missions—continue in coordination with Turkish and Jordanian teams. Their primary goal: to protect the Al-Furunluq reserve, one of the country's largest and most biodiverse forests. Al-Saleh added that Lebanon will soon join efforts with two firefighting helicopters expected to begin operations Monday, complementing Jordanian and Turkish initiatives launched over the past two days. Meanwhile, Syria's Ministry of Interior is dispatching additional personnel and logistical support to Latakia, working under a unified operations room established by the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management. The operation includes over 80 on-ground teams, 180 pieces of equipment, air units from the Syrian Army, and support from local volunteers and NGOs. So far, the wildfires have devastated more than 10,000 hectares, in what is described as the worst fire wave in recent memory. Firefighting teams face severe challenges, including rugged terrain, active war remnants such as landmines, intense winds, and poor forest infrastructure due to years of neglect by the former regime. The Ministry of Social Affairs has established an emergency task force to assist those displaced or affected by the fires, providing urgent humanitarian relief. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula stated that UN teams on the ground are conducting emergency assessments to gauge the scale of the disaster and urgent humanitarian needs. The UN is prepared to launch a multi-agency joint mission to Latakia, in coordination with Syrian authorities and partners, to evaluate the situation and explore immediate and long-term support solutions.
