ANKARA: Fires that have ravaged forests around Turkiye’s third most-populous city Izmir for the past four days have largely been brought under control, authorities said Sunday.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said that efforts to douse hotspots were continuing but that the flames were now largely controlled in one place.
“There is no risk in the section overlooking the city. Firefighters have trapped the fire in a valley. Thank God, this fire in the Yamanlar area of Izmir is now under control,” Yumakli told reporters.
Among the new fires that broke out Saturday in the province of Izmir, one threatening the seaside resort of Cesme was also brought under control without any injuries, which was partly down to the prompt evacuation of residents, the minister said.
Flames continued to char steep valleys in a district some 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Izmir, but at a slower pace, Yumakli added.
At least 43 buildings were damaged in Izmir, while 26 people were hospitalized with injuries related to the blaze, according to Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum.
Wild animals, cats and dogs died in the fire but no human victims have yet been reported.
Scientists say climate change makes extreme weather events including heatwaves more likely, longer lasting and more intense, increasing the risk of wildfires.
The Izmir fire started on Thursday and spread quickly to residential areas by winds blowing at 50 kilometers (30 miles) an hour.
Firefighters were dispatched from several towns, while the army and police forces were also mobilized in the effort.
Five other fires continue to rage in forest areas in other cities in Turkiye, including northwestern Bolu and Aydin in the west.
The Izmir fire was the biggest Turkiye has seen this summer.
In June, a fire that broke out in Mardin in southeastern Turkiye claimed the lives of 15 people.
Forest fires in Turkiye under control: minister
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Forest fires in Turkiye under control: minister
- Efforts to douse hotspots were continuing but that the flames were now largely controlled in one place
- At least 43 buildings were damaged in Izmir, while 26 people were hospitalized
Syrian government foils Daesh plot to attack churches and New Year celebrations
- Bomber kills soldier in Aleppo, detonates explosives injuring 2 others
ALEPPO, DAMASCUS: The Syrian Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that it had thwarted a Daesh plot to carry out suicide attacks targeting New Year celebrations and churches, particularly in Aleppo.
The ministry said in a statement that, as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts and careful monitoring of Daesh cells in cooperation with partner agencies, it had received intelligence indicating plans for suicide attacks targeting New Year celebrations in several provinces, particularly Aleppo, with a focus on churches and civilian gathering areas.
The ministry added that it took preemptive measures, including reinforcing security around churches, deploying mobile and fixed patrols, and setting up checkpoints across the city.
During operations at a checkpoint in Aleppo’s Bab Al-Faraj district, security forces intercepted a suspected Daesh member who opened fire. One internal security soldier was killed, and the attacker detonated explosives, injuring two others.
Daesh recently increased its attacks in Syria, and was blamed for an attack last month in Palmyra that killed three Americans.
On Dec. 13, two US soldiers and an American civilian were killed in an attack Washington blamed on a lone Daesh gunman in Palmyra.
In retaliation, American forces struck scores of Daesh targets in Syria.
Syrian authorities have also carried out several operations against Daesh since then, saying on Dec. 25 they had killed a senior leader of the group.
