- LATAKIA, SYRIA — SEPT. 24, 2025: One civil defense worker has died as Syria struggles to contain wildfires sweeping through the Latakia region, the local Civil Defense director said on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Director Abdul Kafi Kayyal reported that roughly 5,000 hectares have been scorched. He added that firefighting efforts are hampered by rugged terrain and the presence of unexploded mines.

Western Syria has seen repeated forest and agricultural fires this summer, particularly in Latakia province, where high temperatures, dry conditions and dense woodland have made blazes harder to control.

In July, wildfires in the mountains of Latakia lasted 12 days, destroying more than 16,000 hectares of woodland, including 2,200 hectares of farmland. Authorities said the damage affected 45 villages and about 1,200 families.