By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
The wildfires burning in the countryside of Latakia are coming under control, but a few hot spots remain. Saturday night was very difficult as the winds picked up and worked against the firefighting efforts.
The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, announced in a post on the X platform, the establishment of a coordination room to deal with the accelerated expansion of the wildfires still buring on the Syrian northern coast. Hot temperatures, low humidity and gusting winds have spread the fires across a large area.
Al-Saleh explained that the coordination room included a number of Syrian active organizations, which had already begun to provide logistical and field support, in order to strengthen efforts to extinguish the fires.
Jordan has announced sending eight teams of firefighters, helicopters and 20 vehicles. They have crossed the border on their way to Latakia. Turkish helicopters are part of the international effort to stop the fires.
Al-Saleh noted that efforts included securing water vehicles to support the teams, organizing voluntary teams of people who had received prior training in the Fire Operation, as well as providing heavy machinery to open fire lines, assist in the fire fighting and reduce the spread of fire.
The recent wildfires which swept through the northern Latakia countryside, have placed saving the environment on center stage. The time has come to learn from others how Syria can face the dangers of climate change and weather related fires.
Al-Saleh held an emergency meeting with Turkish partners, while coordinating the quick response to the huge wildfires of the Latakia countryside on Friday.
An agreement was reached on the participation of two helicopters operating as fire extinguishers, and 11 vehicles such as 8 fire engines and 3 water supply tankers.
This coordination is done in cooperation between the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Turkish authorities to ensure readiness, exchange field information, and promote a rapid response to stopping the fires being spread by high winds and dry weather.
Nearly 10,000 hectares have been affected by the fires in Latakia, while 62 teams arrived to take part in firefighting operations in the northern Latakia countryside.
The situation is now stable, with initial estimates indicating that the area affected by the fires had reached around 5,000 hectares.
The Media Office at the Ministry of Emergency and Disasters reported to Al-Thawra regarding the Latakia fires. The fires occurred in the coastal region, stretching over more than twenty kilometers, and have affected several villages, including: Al-Midan, Zanf, and Rabia.
Around 350 volunteers were present at the scene, distributed across seven operational fronts. Reinforcements were dispatched from various provinces, including firefighting teams, ambulances, logistical support, and water tankers.
The teams worked to combat the fires in all hotspots, in full coordination among all concerned parties, with the participation of the medical and emergency response system present on site.
From Addis Ababa to Damascus: How Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Inspires Syria’s Green Footprint.
In the face of escalating climate change, deforestation, and drought, Ethiopia has emerged as a global leader in environmental restoration through its ambitious Green Legacy Initiative. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has planted over 40 billion seedlings, with a target of 50 billion by 2025. This bold national effort has not only restored degraded ecosystems but also created hundreds of thousands of green jobs and positioned Ethiopia as a model for climate resilience.
Inspired by Ethiopia’s success, Syria—grappling with the environmental toll of over a decade of conflict—has the potential to launch its own version: The Syrian Green Footprint Initiative.
Ethiopia’s Green Legacy: A Model of Climate Leadership was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy aims to combat deforestation and land degradation, enhance biodiversity and food security, create green jobs and improve livelihoods, and mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.
Key Achievements: over 40 billion seedlings planted since 2019, more than 120,000 nurseries established nationwide, over 800,000 jobs created, especially for youth and women, 22 million hectares of degraded land targeted for restoration by 2030, 500 million fruit-bearing trees (e.g., papaya, mango, avocado) cultivated, and 1 billion seedlings pledged for neighboring countries to promote regional cooperation.
Global Recognition
Praised by the United Nations, African Union, and international leaders, the initiative aligns with the Paris Agreement, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Agenda 2063. It has inspired similar programs in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Colombia.
Syria’s Environmental Crisis: A Call for Green Recovery
Syria has lost over 20% of its forest cover since 2012, particularly in Latakia and Idlib. Years of war have led to severe deforestation due to wildfires, logging, and fuel shortages. Soil degradation from heavy metals, oil spills, and explosives. Water scarcity due to drought, damaged infrastructure, and pollution. Air and water pollution from bombings, makeshift refineries, and sewage leaks.
According to environmental reports, these challenges have worsened food insecurity and public health, making green recovery a national imperative.
The Syrian Green Footprint Initiative: “We Plant Today… To Live Tomorrow”
Vision
Restore Syria’s vegetation cover, achieve ecological balance, and enhance food and water security by planting 10 billion seedlings by 2035, while creating 500,000 sustainable green jobs.
Strategic Goals
Environment: Plant 10 billion seedlings in 10 years (1 billion annually).
Water: Reduce desertification and improve soil and water retention.
Employment: Create 500,000 green jobs in agriculture, nurseries, and irrigation.
Community: Engage 5 million citizens in community planting campaigns.
Cooperation: Strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
Initiative Components
1. National Afforestation Program: Reforest damaged areas in Latakia, Qalamoun, and Idlib. Plant fruit trees (olive, carob, fig) in rural zones. Introduce urban greening in cities like Damascus and Aleppo.
2. Central Nurseries Network: Establish 100 nurseries across governorates. Train youth in seedling production and nursery management.
3. Community and School Engagement: Launch “One Tree per Student” campaigns. Transform schools and universities into green hubs.
4. Green Financing: Create a Green Footprint Fund supported by UNDP, Green Climate Fund (GCF), Syrian diaspora organizations and local banks and private sector.
5. Awareness and Media Campaigns: promote the slogan “Plant Your Homeland”, and develop interactive content (apps, videos, competitions).
Pilot Phase (2025–2027)
Regional Activity Partners: Latakia: Replanting burned forests. Agriculture Directorate, Green NGOs. Rural Damascus: Fruit tree planting in abandoned lands. Civil society organizations. Al-Hasakah: Drought-resistant planting FAO, UNDP, local councils. Aleppo School greening and educational gardens, Ministry of Education, UNICEF.
Success indicators: 10% increase in vegetation cover within 5 years, 20% reduction in desertification in the Badia region, Improved soil and water quality in agricultural zones, and 50% of school students engaged in planting activities.
Global Reforestation Success Stories
Great Green Wall Africa: 8,000 km belt across 11 countries; 100M hectares targeted for restoration
Trillion Trees Campaign Global: 13B+ trees planted; goal of 1 trillion by 2050
Eden Reforestation Projects Global South: 300M+ trees planted; local employment model
Greenbelt Movement Kenya: 51M+ trees planted; women-led environmental empowerment
Mixteca Reforestation Mexico: 1M+ trees; traditional farming and erosion control
Appalachian Reforestation USA: 60M trees on 87,000 acres of former coal sites
Gaviotas Project Colombia: 20,000+ acres reforested; biodiesel and resin economy
Call to Action
The Green Footprint is not just an environmental project—it’s a unifying national mission. It restores Syria’s greenery, empowers its youth, and sets the country on a path to sustainable recovery.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist
