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Authorities in Syria appealed to the European Union on Tuesday for help in battling massive wildfires that have been spreading across the north-western coastal region for the sixth consecutive day.
“Communication has also been established with the European Union, and there is a possibility of air support from Cyprus today to bolster the extinguishing efforts,” Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Saleh wrote in a post on X.
“We are facing significant field challenges, most notably the rugged terrain, the absence of firebreaks, active winds, and the presence of mine remnants and unexploded ordnance.”
Since the beginning of July, the Syrian civil defence have responded to 334 wildfires across the country, most of them concentrated in Latakia followed by Tartous, Saleh wrote on X.
The fires, which started last week, have proven difficult to bring under control despite reinforcements from Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon that came to the country to help Syrian teams fight the blazes.
On the second day of the fire, firefighters managed to bring 90% of the wildfires under control but explosions of left-over war ordnance and heavy winds helped spread the fires again.
There are currently 120 teams fighting the fires.
On Monday, the Lebanese army said it sent two helicopters to help fire crews in coordination with Syrian authorities.
While at the weekend, UN teams deployed to the Syrian coast where they are conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the damage.
“UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs,” UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, said in a statement.
“The UN reiterates its solidarity with the people of Syria at this critical moment and stands ready to work alongside all stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind in the response and recovery efforts.”
Summer fires are common in the eastern Mediterranean region, where experts warn that climate change is intensifying conditions that then lead to blazes.
Also, below-average rainfall over the winter left many Syrians struggling with water shortages this summer, as the springs and rivers that normally supply much of the population with drinking water have gone dry.
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