Syrian firefighting crews extinguished two major forest fires in Hama countryside whilst continuing to battle devastating wildfires in Latakia province for the ninth consecutive day, as the United Nations allocated $625,000 for emergency response efforts.

Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh announced that Syrian Civil Defence and firefighting brigades responded to two large forest fires in Hama countryside during recent hours, causing damage to vast areas of forests and agricultural lands and significant damage to homes and property, state-controlled SANA reported on July 11.

Al-Saleh said the first fire erupted in the Nabaa al-Tayeb area of Hama countryside and was extinguished with participation from 33 responders and 10 firefighting vehicles, plus logistical and technical support vehicles. However, the fire reignited despite completing the cooling phase at 8pm, requiring teams to resume response and cooling operations until they confirmed the flames would not restart. The damaged area is estimated at around 500 dunums of forest.

The minister noted that the second fire erupted in Mount Taqsis near the Scientific Research centre, destroying about 20 dunums of cypress trees before being completely controlled during early morning hours.

Firefighting teams from all provinces, including Turkish and Jordanian firefighting crews, continue intensive efforts for the ninth consecutive day to combat forest fires in Latakia countryside, preventing their expansion and protecting the environment.

UN humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula allocated $625,000 to support urgent response efforts for those affected by the Latakia wildfires, enabling humanitarian partners, primarily the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to deliver assistance to thousands affected.

"The wildfires have had catastrophic consequences on the local communities and require our immediate attention," Abdelmoula said, adding that the UN stands in solidarity with Syrians during the emergency.

Ahmad Yazigi of Syrian Civil Defence said two particularly challenging fire zones remain in the mountainous Jabal Turkman region, with one area accessible only by air and another complicated by unexploded ordnance from the civil war.

"These zones are among the most dangerous due to the rugged terrain and the presence of war remnants, such as unexploded landmines and munitions," Yazigi explained.