Firefighting teams from Syria, Turkey and Jordan have battled wildfires in northern Latakia's countryside for five consecutive days, SANA reported on July 7.

Syria's minister of emergency and disaster management, Raed Al-Saleh, confirmed that intensive ground and aerial operations are ongoing to extinguish the blazes. New regime officials reported progress in controlling some hotspots whilst operations continue to prevent flames reaching Syria's largest forest reserve,

Efforts are focused on preventing flames from reaching the Al-Furnlaq Reserve, considered one of Syria's largest and most important forest areas.

"If weather conditions remain stable, and wind speeds do not intensify, we might be able to control the fires today," Al-Saleh said, though he cautioned that declaring the fires fully extinguished would require several additional days of monitoring operations.

Turkish and Jordanian teams are contributing helicopters to conduct precision cooling flights and monitor fire spread whilst supporting crews working in challenging terrain. Lebanon has allocated two firefighting helicopters expected to begin operations, joining the international response effort.

Abdelkafi Keyal, director of civil defence in Syria's coastal region, said efforts have made partial progress in containing some fire clusters. He identified three main affected areas - Ras Al-Basit, Qastal Maaf and Rabia - with teams working to prevent spread towards Kassab, home to Syria's largest forest reserve.

Syrian civil defence reported that crews made extensive efforts to suppress flames after they intensified in Jabal Turkman and Al-Furnlaq forests. Fires spread rapidly across steep valleys in Jabal Turkman, where teams worked to cut off advancing flames whilst tackling outbreaks moving towards densely wooded areas.

More than 80 teams and around 180 vehicles remain engaged in operations under a joint command room established by the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management. Syria's Ministry of Interior has deployed additional personnel and logistical reinforcements to support civil defence operations.

The fires, which began on July 3, have damaged over 10,000 hectares, marking the worst wildfire crisis the region has experienced. Authorities cited severe weather, high winds, rugged terrain, landmines and neglected firebreaks as major obstacles hampering containment efforts.

UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula said UN teams are conducting rapid assessments to determine the disaster's scale and immediate humanitarian needs. The organisation stands prepared to deploy a joint inter-agency mission to Latakia in coordination with local authorities.

"In these difficult times, our thoughts and hearts are with the people of Latakia," Abdelmoula said. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to support local authorities and provide timely assistance to all affected communities."

The ministry of social affairs and labour has established an emergency unit to monitor displaced families and ensure urgent support delivery.