The White Helmets

Statement on Raed Al-Saleh's Resignation as President and General Manager of the White Helmets and His Appointment as Minister of Environment, Emergencies, and Disaster Management in the Syrian Government After years of leading the White Helmets and a distinguished career in humanitarian work, Raed Al Saleh has resigned from his position as the organization’s head and from all board roles within its affiliated entities following his acceptance of the post of Minister of Environment, Emergencies, and Disaster Management in the Syrian government. Read the full statement here: whitehelmets.org/taxonomy/term/…

Over the past five days, #Syria has been swept by an unprecedented wave of wildfires, concentrated particularly in the northern countryside of #Latakia and the western countryside of #Homs. The flames began devouring dense forests in areas such as Jabal al-Turkman and Rabia, where strong winds and rugged terrain contributed to their rapid spread, hindering the efforts of firefighting teams. As of 1:30 p.m. today, Thursday, September 25, firefighting teams of the Syrian Civil Defence, fire brigades, and the forest-fire brigades succeeded in halting the spread of the flames in #Latakia’s forests, bringing more than 80% of the burning spots under control and beginning cooling and monitoring operations in more than 10 locations, while continuing to deal with limited fire outbreaks in some areas.

Twelve years on, the wounds of Ghouta remain unhealed. On the night of August 21, 2013, more than 1,100 people, including children, suffocated to death in #Ghouta killed by sarin gas in the largest chemical weapons attack of the 21st century, perpetrated by the Assad regime. Around 6,000 more were affected by the symptoms of toxic gases (according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights). We carry the memory of that night to speak the truth, demand justice, and defend the values of humanity. Justice delayed is justice denied. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

New Report | Double-Tap Attacks on the White Helmets Over the last decade, 311 White Helmets volunteers have died, including over 200 killed in conflict-related incidents while saving lives in Syria. Our new investigation documents 122 double-tap attacks deliberately targeting first responders, civilians & medical workers and spotlights 12 cases in detail, based on evidence from our own archives These attacks broke International Humanitarian Law and aimed to terrorize communities, silence witnesses, and deny the truth. 📑 Read the full report: whitehelmets.org/node/2471 #WhiteHelmets #Syria

It’s been 29 days since our colleague Hamza Al-Amareen has been abducted. Today, his family and children, fellow colleagues from the Syria Civil Defence, and civil society actors from across #Syria gathered to renew the call for his immediate release. We stand united with a clear message: Free those who save lives. Humanitarian workers are not a target for arrest and enforced disappearance. Hamza, the head of a White Helmets emergency response center in Suwayda, was abducted on July 16 while on a humanitarian mission to assist a UN team. His vehicle and uniform were clearly marked with the White Helmets insignia. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, his whereabouts remain unknown. Hamza remains in our hearts, and we will not stop calling for his freedom until he is safely reunited with his family, his team, and the work he is dedicated to. #FreeHamza #WhiteHelmets #Syria

The first moments of the our teams' response to the massive explosion that occurred in the Maarrat Misrin area in northern rural #Idlib, today, Thursday, July 24, including the recovery of the dead and the evacuation of the injured from the scene. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Since the onset of the recent events in #Suwayda and up until the evening of Thursday, July 17, Syria Civil Defence teams have evacuated over 250 families from #Suwayda city and its surrounding countryside. This number reflects only those evacuated by our teams. Families were safely transported to locations of their choice or to designated shelters, as part of the efforts coordinated by the Emergency Humanitarian Response Operations Room established by the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management to ensure protection and shelter for displaced families during this critical time. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Statement on the Abduction of a White Helmets Emergency Response Center Manager in #Suwayda While En Route to Evacuate a UN Team Read the full statement here: whitehelmets.org/node/2446 #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Scenes of continued efforts to battle the wildfires in #Latakia. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Critical moments as wildfires encircled firefighting teams while they worked to contain the blazes in the Jabal al-Nisr area of rural #Latakia. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

In rugged mountains and deep valleys, firefighters are working around the clock day and night to extinguish the wildfires in rural #Latakia. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Wildfires continue to ravage rural #Latakia, destroying forests and displacing families. Our teams have been battling the flames for over a week, facing extreme terrain, strong winds, and the deadly threat of unexploded ordnance. We won't stop until out forests and our communities are safe. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

In #Latakia, wildfires are pushing firefighting teams to their limits. Harsh terrain and intense are posing major challenges, but crews remain on the frontlines working tirelessly to halt the fire’s advance. Aerial support from helicopters and planes have been playing a crucial role in backing ground operations. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Wildfires continue to consume #Latakia's forests. We continue to stand firm and protect our natural heritage. 📍Aerial footage of firefighting teams on Thursday, July 10, working to extinguish forest fires in #Latakia. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

With unwavering determination, for the eighth day in a row, firefighting teams from the Syria Civil Defence, fire brigades, and forestry units, joined by Turkish and Jordanian, crews and supported by aerial assistance from Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, continue to battle the wildfires. 📍 Footage from Thursday, July 10, shows operations to extinguish forest fires in Jabal al-Nisr, northern rural #Latakia. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

In the face of this disaster… In Latakia’s burning forests, Syrians stand united, from Latakia to Hasakah, Deir Ezzor to Daraa, Suwayda to Aleppo. We’ve endured earthquakes, disasters, bombs, and countless hardships before. We’ll overcome this too. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Aerial imagery reveals the rapid spread of wildfires across Jabal al-Nisr and the surrounding mountains in northern rural #Latakia, driven by strong winds and detonations of war remnants. The area’s steep terrain and deep valleys are preventing ground crews from reaching the fire zones, as aerial support operations continue in an effort to contain the blaze. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Overnight firefighting operations in the Wadi area of Qastal Maaf and Jabal al-Nisr in rural #Latakia, as teams work to bring the wildfires under control. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Fires continue to spread in #Latakia across the mountains and valleys surrounding Qastal Maaf, with aerial firefighting aircraft carrying working to suppress the flames, as ground teams face challenges to access due to the harsh terrain and rugged valleys. #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Despite rugged terrain and strong winds, our teams continue efforts to contain wildfires in the forests of rural #Latakia 📍Footage from Zahiyah Hill and Jabal al-Nisr | Wednesday, July 9 #WhiteHelmets #Syria

Scenes from the ground as #WhiteHelmets teams battle wildfires in rural #Latakia, navigating deep valleys and rugged terrain that make access extremely difficult. Despite the harsh conditions and strong winds fueling the flames, crews continue working tirelessly to contain the spread across forested areas. #Syria