Since the beginning of July 2025, Latakia Governorate has been witnessing massive wildfires that have caused widespread destruction to forests and agricultural lands, with the burned area exceeding 10,000 hectares spread across 28 different areas in rural Latakia. These fires have not only devastated the environment but have also turned into a humanitarian disaster threatening the stability of hundreds of families and refugees in the region.
Within just a few days, hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes to escape the flames and dense smoke, while civil defense teams – supported by teams from Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria – continue to make relentless efforts to contain the fires. More than 120 firefighting teams, over 150 vehicles, and 12 to 16 helicopters have been involved in the operations, yet the challenges remain immense due to:
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Severe climatic conditions: Rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall have fueled the rapid spread of fires, transforming the crisis from an environmental disaster to a full-blown humanitarian emergency.
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War remnants: Landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the affected areas have caused explosions during firefighting efforts, hindering operations and increasing the danger to responders.
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Rugged geographical terrain: The mountainous and difficult nature of rural Latakia has made it extremely challenging for ground teams to keep pace with the rapid spread of the fires.
The international response has been coordinated through a joint operations room between Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Nations, which has deployed teams to assess damages and determine urgent needs. Syrian authorities have also requested additional support from the European Union to provide more helicopters and firefighting resources, amid rising concerns about the disaster’s impact on civilians.
From a humanitarian perspective, hundreds of families have faced temporary displacement, with significant health risks due to the dense smoke increasing respiratory illnesses. Several civil defense personnel have been injured during firefighting operations, although no civilian fatalities have been reported so far. Meanwhile, agricultural infrastructure and rural roads have been severely damaged, further exacerbating the fragile humanitarian situation in areas already suffering from water and electricity shortages.
Key Recommendations for the International Organization and Global Community:
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Activate an emergency forest fire ban, deploy additional firefighting helicopters, and establish air bridges supported by the EU.
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Remove war remnants promptly and implement strict safety protocols before allowing firefighting teams to enter affected areas.
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Allocate urgent humanitarian assistance including clean water, medicines, shelter, and psychological support for displaced families and exhausted responders.
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Launch local climate change mitigation programs, establishing national environmental leadership to restore vegetation cover and improve water resource management.
Conclusion
The Latakia wildfires are not just a temporary environmental disaster but rather a “humanitarian time bomb” threatening the environment, food security, and human rights in Syria. The International Organization for Human Rights and Refugee Affairs condemns the international community’s inaction in building a permanent rescue structure and calls for an urgent and decisive response to protect civilians and stabilize the region.
This moment represents a critical opportunity for the international community to act immediately towards a sustainable humanitarian and environmental intervention that preserves lives and safeguards the environment for future generations.
