Severe heatwaves have triggered simultaneous wildfires across five Arab countries, causing widespread destruction of forests, farmland, and grazing areas. According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, fires continued to rage as of Wednesday in Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, and Morocco.
In Iraq’s northern Kurdistan province, wildfires broke out on Sunday evening in the Halabja district. Hundreds of hectares of land, including grasslands and grazing areas from six villages, were burned, killing numerous livestock and wildlife. Brigadier General Abedin Abdulrahman, Director of Halabja Civil Defense, reported that nearly 5,000 dunams (about 1,235 acres) of orchards and forests were destroyed, while two villagers lost their lives. Governor Nukhsha Nasih noted that a lack of equipment and unfavorable weather conditions delayed fire control efforts.
In Algeria, at least 18 wildfires erupted across several provinces, seven of them in the eastern Bejaia region. Authorities confirmed that 10 fires have been extinguished, while four remain active and another four are under surveillance. To combat the blazes, the government deployed 15 firefighting aircraft and helicopters, and has imposed a ban on camping and barbecuing in forests until October to reduce risks.
In Lebanon, the Civil Defense reported battling 102 wildfires in the past 24 hours, including 74 that spread through forests, grasslands, and residential areas. In neighboring Syria, firefighters managed to bring under control a major blaze in the Kart area of Salma, Latakia. Despite strong winds and rugged terrain, fire crews succeeded in preventing further spread. Last week alone, ten wildfires were extinguished across four Syrian provinces.
In Morocco, wildfires broke out on Monday in the Douar Al-Ghararsa forest of Tetouan province before spreading to farmland in Douar Beni Karar. No casualties have been reported. Official figures show that in 2024, Morocco experienced 382 wildfires that burned approximately 874 hectares of forest—an 82 percent decrease compared to 2023.