Kessab Armenians Face Heavy Losses After Wildfires Burn Orchards, Damage Homes, Call for Diaspora Support

The devastating fires that tore through Syria’s Latakia province this month have left deep scars on the historic Armenian community of Kessab, destroying orchards, damaging homes, and leaving families facing immense financial and emotional losses.

In an exclusive interview with The Armenian Report, Fr. Yessayi Eordekian, spiritual overseer of Kessab, described the destruction as “immense and painful,” noting that agriculture is the livelihood of nearly all of the town’s residents.

“At this moment, the fires have been completely extinguished. Most of the damage is on the Armenian side. Some houses have burned, but not entirely—though on a large scale,” he said. “Yet, our greatest loss is in the orchards. In Kessab, 95% of the people live off agriculture, and as you know, this is the harvest season.”

According to Fr. Eordekian, some families lost as many as 400 trees, representing several tons of fruit, while others saw orchards of 60 or 100 trees wiped out. A committee has been formed to document losses, paving the way for fundraising and government aid to help restore livelihoods.

“The deepest pain is the psychological suffering. Believe me, these people are exhausted,” he added. “But they have remained strong, and I hope our compatriots abroad will extend their support to help our people recover.”

The wildfires, which began on August 14, spread rapidly due to rising summer temperatures, strong winds, and difficult mountainous terrain. Firefighting brigades, with reinforcements from nearby provinces, worked alongside local volunteers to contain the flames. Officials also noted that remnants of war, including landmines, complicated the efforts.

Latakia province has faced a series of blazes since the beginning of August, with Kessab, Mount Al-Akrad, and Al-Haffa among the hardest-hit areas. Though residents have now returned to their homes, the losses in farmland threaten long-term stability for this small community.

Kessab, a mountain town near the Turkish border, has been home to Armenians for centuries and is considered one of the last surviving Armenian-populated areas in Syria. Its community endured repeated attacks throughout history, including during the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and more recently in 2014, when Islamist militants briefly seized the town, forcing residents to flee before returning to rebuild.

Today, Kessab remains a vital symbol of Armenian heritage in the region, with its churches, schools, and orchards forming the backbone of community life. The latest fires have once again put its resilience to the test.

During the fire, Fr. Eordekian and local youths risked their lives to evacuate families and shield homes from the flames. “In one neighborhood, the fire was so incredibly strong that we lost hope we would make it out alive,” he said. “But we managed to evacuate people to safety so that even if the houses were destroyed, at least there would be no human losses. A house can be rebuilt, but a human life cannot be replaced.”

Now, the community is turning to the broader Armenian diaspora for solidarity and aid. Relief committees will soon begin fundraising efforts to support families as they work to replant and restore their orchards—an urgent task as the fire struck during harvest season.

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