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Assad pays rare visit to fire-ravaged western Syria

The UN says at least three people have died in the fires that erupted last week in Latakia, Tartus and Homs provinces.
TOPSHOT - A picture taken on October 11, 2020, shows a church in the middle of a scorched hillside due to forest fires in the countryside of the Syrian western city of Tartus. - Dozens of fires that ravaged parts of Syria and Lebanon in recent days were brought under control, authorities in the two countries said. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

In a rare public appearance, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad inspected the destruction caused by the recent wildfires in the coastal province of Latakia, state media outlets reported on Tuesday. 

Between Thursday and Sunday, at least 156 wildfires were reported in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus as well as the central Homs province, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Three people had died before the blazes were contained on Sunday. 

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