AMMAN — Jordanian firefighting teams began returning home on Wednesday after completing a humanitarian mission in Syria, where they participated in efforts to extinguish wildfires that broke out across several areas of Latakia along the Syrian coast.

 

The deployment came in response to Royal directives issued earlier to the Public Security Directorate (PSD), instructing the dispatch of specialised Civil Defence firefighting units to support Syria in combating the wave of fires.

 

According to the PSD, the Jordanian teams were fully equipped with modern tools and machinery to ensure the effective execution of their mission.

 

The teams commenced operations immediately upon entering Syrian territory, working alongside Syrian firefighting crews.

 

Since July 3, wildfires have swept through large parts of Syria, particularly in coastal areas, driven by strong winds and drought conditions.

 

Firefighting efforts have been hindered by the difficult terrain and weather.

 

In line with the Royal directives, Jordan joined the Syrian firefighting efforts on Sunday, July 6.

 

As part of the operation, the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) deployed two Black Hawk helicopters from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, equipped with advanced firefighting systems and manned by specialized crews, to help control the fast-moving blazes that spread across forests, plains, and residential areas.

 

In parallel, the PSD dispatched additional Civil Defence teams to Latakia to bolster efforts to contain the fires and support local response teams.

 

According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), wildfires have devastated northern rural Lattakia for nearly two weeks, spreading into Hama and Idleb.

 

OCHA said that over 1,150 people have been displaced and more than 14,000 affected, with widespread property losses and rising health concerns.