What is behind the deliberate forest fires in northwestern Syria?
For several days now, uncontrollable forest fires have been raging across northwestern Syria. While neighboring countries have sent aid, it appears insufficient to stop the spreading flames.
There is broad consensus that the fires are intentional — but opinions differ over who is responsible.
WHO’S BEHIND THE FIRES NEAR LATAKIA?
According to opponents of the al-Julani regime, the culprits are Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, a jihadist group led by Abu Aisha al-Shami, comprising 1,500 Sunni extremists. Many of them reportedly defected from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once affiliated with al-Qaeda and now controlled by al-Julani. These jihadists allegedly hold ISIS-like ideologies and aim to ethnically cleanse Alawite populations by burning down forests and driving tens of thousands from their homes. They are also accused of bombing a Damascus church and distributing leaflets in Christian areas threatening massacres.
Opponents claim Saraya Ansar al-Sunna is fully integrated into al-Julani's security apparatus and that the arsons are carried out under direct orders. Telegram posts taking responsibility have surfaced — but skeptics argue there's no proof the group even exists beyond social media, with no sightings of armed activity or real-world presence.
In contrast, supporters of HTS and al-Julani deny the group's existence altogether. They claim Assad loyalists and the “Coastal Shield Brigade” are behind the fires, asserting that ISIS cells were responsible for the Damascus church attack.
HTS has deployed military reinforcements to the forest regions near Latakia, claiming they are fighting "remnants of the Assad regime" who are setting the fires.
Opposition sources, however, insist it’s HTS itself that is responsible — accusing the group of starting fires to blame the Alawites, sow chaos, and displace coastal populations. They argue that the goal is to purge the Alawite presence by presenting them as loyalists to a collapsing regime.
At this stage, neither the Sunni jihadists nor Assad loyalists can be ruled out. What is clear is that the fires are being used as a tool in a broader power struggle — with devastating consequences for civilians.