Turkey aids Syria in wildfire battle as flames rage across borders
Turkey has dispatched two firefighting aircraft to neighboring Syria to assist in combating the wildfires sweeping across the northwest Latakia region. This move comes as Turkish firefighters simultaneously battle blazes within their own borders, where one fatality has been reported in the western region of the country.
Turkish efforts and regional challenges
Since June 26, Turkey has been grappling with numerous wildfires, which have intensified due to soaring temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity. The Turkish Forestry Minister, Ibrahim Yumakli, confirmed on Saturday that 10 major fires in western Turkey have been successfully contained. However, one forestry worker succumbed to injuries sustained in İzmir’s Ödemiş municipality, marking the third death in the area.
In Hatay province, bordering Syria, a massive blaze erupted on Friday afternoon in the residential district of Dörtyol. Fueled by strong winds, the fire rapidly spread, forcing the evacuation of 920 homes. Efforts to contain the flames are ongoing, according to local authorities.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed that 44 suspects have been detained in connection with 65 fires across the country, with many of the incidents in İzmir attributed to faulty power lines.
Cross-border firefighting
To aid Syria, Turkey also sent 11 fire trucks and water support vehicles to Latakia. Syrian emergency minister Raed Al Saleh noted that the aid, delayed by Turkey’s own wildfire crisis, arrived nearly a day late. The situation in Syria is further complicated by unexploded ordnance left behind from past conflicts, raising safety concerns for firefighters on the ground.
Widespread impact
Wildfires have ravaged not only Turkey and Syria but also Greece over the past week, displacing tens of thousands of people and destroying hundreds of homes. Climate experts highlight that summer fires are increasingly common in the eastern Mediterranean, with climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of these disasters.
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