ALBAWABA - Members of the Islamist group "Saraya Ansar al-Sunna" claimed responsibility for the massive fires that have swept through Syria's coastal mountains for the past four days.
In a statement posted on their Telegram account, the group said, "The fighters of Saraya Ansar al-Sunna set fire to the Qastal Mountains in the Latakia countryside on the 3rd of Muharram."
The statement added that "the fires spread to other areas, forcing residents of some villages in the Latakia countryside to flee their homes, and a number of them suffered from suffocation."
It's worth noting that Ansar al-Sunna mercenaries previously claimed responsibility for the bombing of the Saint Elias Church in al-Duwaileh, Damascus.
For days, the northern Latakia countryside has been witnessing uncontrollable fires that have swept through vast areas of forests, with firefighters and residents struggling to control them.
The fires, which have been raging since July 3, have cut off the international highway between Latakia and Turkey, and have put power plants out of service due to the intensity of the fires and the dense smoke.
Jordan's Armed Forces sent two Black Hawk helicopters from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, equipped with specialized crews and advanced technical equipment, to help control the fires and limit their spread, protecting lives and property.
Turkey also sent firefighters to help Syria extinguish the fire that erupted in the coastal area.
