Destruction by forest fires in Syria

 

Destruction continues as wildfires spread rapidly in northern and northwestern Syria.

According to Mohammad Hassan Qatna, Minister of Agriculture in the Syrian government, the forest fires have spread rapidly in the western province and in the rural areas of Tartus, Homs, Hama and Latakia due to winds blowing at a speed of 70 km per hour.

He said that dozens of villages have been evacuated and evacuation of civilians is underway.

The Agriculture Minister said that efforts were being made to control the fire with the help of fire brigades, army and security agencies.

The blaze severely damaged agricultural products, homes, factories and other facilities, and destroyed a number of industrial facilities in the mountainous forest of Qardaha, Latakia province.

On the other hand, the flames of the fire have reached near the military base of Hamimim used by the Russian army, however, the Russian army is trying to stop the fire with the help of warplanes.

Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Hassan Qatna blamed the forest fire on the farmers and said that 72% of the fire was caused by the farmers who burn the dry bushes to destroy them.