Latakia: Fires continued for the ninth consecutive day in large areas of the Syrian coast, amid regional efforts to contain the flames. In a new development, Turkish authorities announced the closure of the Kasab border crossing with Syria, as the fires raging in the coastal mountains approached the border area, raising fears of their spread into Turkey.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent reported the commencement of evacuation operations for residents of the village of Al-Shajara in the Latakia countryside, after the fires began to directly threaten their homes.