SHOTLIST:

LATAKIA, SYRIA (AUGUST 15, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF BURNING AREAS / FIREFIGHTERS SPRAYING WATER

2. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF BURNT AREAS COVERED WITH ASHES

3. AREAS AROUND BUILDINGS BURNING (TWO SHOTS)

4. FIRE BURNING AND SMOKE RISING

5. SYRIAN MINISTER OF EMERGENCY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT RAED AL-SALEH SPEAKING TO REPORTER (Arabic)

6. GOVERNOR OF LATAKIA, MOHAMMAD OTHMAN, SPEAKING TO REPORTER (Arabic)



LATAKIA, SYRIA - AUGUST 15, 2025: Syria is battling large-scale forest fires across the provinces of Hama, Homs, Tartus and Latakia, caused by the extreme heat affecting the country on Friday, Aug. 15.


Despite support from Syrian army helicopters, firefighting efforts are being severely hampered by strong winds, rugged terrain, and limited water resources.


Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said that the fires in many areas had been brought under control and that firefighting teams, civil defense units and volunteers were continuing their response efforts without interruption.


The minister stated that remnants of the overthrown regime are carrying out smear campaigns claiming the firefighting efforts were insufficient.


Al-Saleh said the claims that the ministry has not intervened in certain areas are completely baseless and described the situation as part of a serious disinformation campaign on social media.


Writing by Ayse Elif Erdis