Coastal Mountains fires devour forests amid accusations of negligence and arson

Fires that have been raging for more than 48 hours continue to devour vast areas of forests and woodlands in the Syrian coastal mountains, stretching between Latakia and Hama. These fires are facing significant operational difficulties due to the rugged mountainous terrain and narrow roads leading to the fire sites, hindering the arrival of firefighting teams and heavy equipment.

Residents of the surrounding villages expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of helicopters in extinguishing operations, despite the rapid spread of the fires. They accused influential figures affiliated with the transitional government of deliberately starting the fires or neglecting to extinguish them, with the aim of collecting firewood and selling it at high prices as winter approaches.

The flames have spread to Beit Yashout district in the Jableh countryside, threatening residential areas and agricultural orchards. The fires continue to spread toward the Latakia and Hama countrysides, reaching the borders of the Ghab Plain.

The surrounding villages are on high alert, with calls for urgent and effective intervention from firefighting teams escalating, fearing that the environmental disaster could turn into a humanitarian tragedy that threatens the lives and property of residents

Sh-S

ANHA