SHOTLIST: - LATAKIA, SYRIA (JULY 8, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. SMOKE RISING FROM ONGOING FOREST FIRE 2. FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTERS DROPPING WATER ON FLAMES 3. FIRE IN FOREST 4. FIREFIGHTING TEAMS IN AREA 5. INTERVIEW WITH SYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER ANAS KHATTAB 6. INTERVIEW WITH LATAKIA GOVERNOR MUHAMMAD OTHMANLATAKIA, SYRIA - JULY 8: Syrian authorities have detained multiple suspects believed to be connected to the ongoing wildfires in the rural areas of Latakia, now in their sixth day, according to Interior Minister Anas Khattab. Speaking from the village of Kastal Maaf in the Bayirbucak region, Khattab said investigations are ongoing and that a wide-scale security operation will be launched in the affected areas. He added that security forces are patrolling the region to protect firefighting crews working on the ground. Latakia Governor Mohammed Othman said that three of the major fire fronts have been brought under control, and active cooling efforts are continuing in those areas. He noted that over 80 civil defense teams from across the country, along with international support crews, are engaged in firefighting operations. Othman said unfortunately, more than 14,000 hectares have been burned. "Unexploded landmines left behind by the former regime are significantly hindering suppression efforts," he said. Experts say the combination of thick smoke and rugged terrain is complicating firefighting operations. Authorities confirmed that dozens of families have been evacuated, but no fatalities have been reported.