Massive Wildfires Ravage Latakia Countryside as Syria Seeks Regional Help

Watan-Shocking scenes of raging wildfires in the forests of Latakia’s countryside in Syria have dominated social media platforms over the past two days.

The flames have consumed vast areas, reaching unprecedented heights, while Syrian Civil Defense and White Helmets teams continue battling to contain them. High winds have significantly worsened the situation, expanding the fires and complicating efforts to control them.

Calls for Help

In light of the escalating crisis, Syria officially requested assistance from Turkey and Jordan.

Raed al-Saleh, Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken with Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı. They agreed to enhance field coordination starting Sunday morning, by increasing the number of firefighting teams and Turkish aircraft involved, while ensuring readiness of Turkish crews inside Syria to support efforts in extinguishing the widespread fires.

Meanwhile, Munir Mustafa, head of the White Helmets, posted a message of appreciation for Jordanian emergency crews, describing their support as a “noble gesture cherished by all Syrians, reflecting the values of solidarity and brotherhood between the two peoples.”

انفجارات لمخلفات حرب وذخائر غير منفجرة تزيد من الواقع الصعب الذي يواجهه الإطفائيون خلال إخماد الحرائق الحراجية الضخمة المندلعة في ريف اللاذقية لليوم الثالث على التوالي. #الدفاع_المدني_السوري #سوريا #اللاذقية #حرائق pic.twitter.com/a2tnfEqU8i

— الدفاع المدني السوري (@SyriaCivilDefe) July 5, 2025

Unsung Heroes

Syrians reacted passionately to the work of rescue teams, highlighting their bravery under extreme conditions. One user wrote:”In times of crisis, the true hero emerges—not for fame or applause.”

Another commented:”Firefighters continue their struggle into the night to save the forests and villages. God’s hand is with the collective—do not abandon the coastal woods.”

مشاركة نبيلة وغالية على قلوبنا من الأخوة الأشقاء في المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية الذين أبدوا استعدادهم ووصلوا اليوم لمؤازرة فرق الإطفاء في الدفاع المدني السوري ووزارة الطوارئ وإدارة الكوارث في عمليات إخماد الحرائق الحراجية في ريف اللاذقية، هذه المواقف تعني الكثير لسوريا والسوريين… pic.twitter.com/EUoFdSkcF9

— Monir Mustafa (@MonirMustafa3) July 6, 2025

Suspicions and Theories

As the flames intensified, so did public questions about whether the fires were natural or deliberately set. Activists pointed out the simultaneous outbreak of fires across multiple areas in Latakia’s countryside—including Damsarkho, Al-Omroniyah, and Sfoobin—as evidence of arson. One major blaze reportedly still rages near a military barracks between Sqoubin and Sanjwan.

Eyewitnesses described the fires as spreading rapidly and being hard to control. Many speculated that the blazes were intended to target forested zones and private property, or to distract from other issues, potentially aiming to create chaos and drain resources.

هل تستطيع التمييز بين هذين البطلين ؟
الصورة الأولى لرجل إطفاء 2021 والثانية لرجل إطفاء اليوم
هما بطلان يواجهان النار التي يشعلها كل من يفرّق بينهما .
نقلاً عن صفحة Naji Darwish
شكراً لكل من يعمل بصمت لأجل هذه البلاد.. #حرائق #اللاذقية #قسطل #الدفاع_المدني_السوري #الخوذ_البيضاء pic.twitter.com/BglxyMZHXH

— أورورا.. (@lifemelody94) July 5, 2025

Additional Theories:

• Coal Traders’ Involvement: Some bloggers suggested that charcoal dealers might be behind the fires, seeking to exploit forest wood.

• Planted Explosives: Others referenced reports claiming remnants of regime forces had planted mines that could ignite fires, especially given the recurrence of wildfires in closely timed intervals.

In response, Syrian Civil Defense urged locals to cooperate and report any suspected arsonists. A number of activists also called for temporarily suspending all public celebrations until civil defense teams complete their efforts to extinguish the fires, which are now threatening several villages and towns in the Latakia countryside.