Amman: Since its founding, Jordan has remained unwavering in extending aid to those in need around the world, guided by deep-rooted values and wise Hashemite leadership. When wildfires engulfed the forests of Latakia, the Syrian coastal city, Jordanian Civil Defense teams swiftly responded by land and air. Their mission went beyond extinguishing flames; it was a heartfelt effort to ease the suffering of the Syrian people.
According to Jordan News Agency, strategic and military expert Bashir Da'jah emphasized that the fires in Latakia and Tartus were not merely environmental disasters but cries for help that resonated deeply in Jordan. "When a neighbor's house burns, Jordan does not shut its door; it opens its heart," he said. He highlighted the speed and decisiveness of the response, noting that there was no time for statements or calculations. Royal directives were issued immediately, prompting Jordanian Civil Defense and Air Force personnel to race across the border in solidarity with their Syrian counterparts.
Jordanian firetrucks crossed the northern border equipped with advanced tools and a profound sense of humanity. Da'jah noted that the Jordanian firefighters were not carrying out routine duties; they were putting out flames that scorched the body of a shared Arab nation. "The Jordanian hoses watered Syria's soil with support, not just water. It was as though the spark had struck them personally," he said. He described the Civil Defense mission as more than an emergency operation; it was a living message: "We will not stand idly by as the fire rages around us."
Da'jah stressed that Jordan, though small in resources, is mighty in values. It never hesitates to extend a hand where needed. "The dignity of a nation," he said, "is not measured by the size of its economy but by the size of its heart." In every crisis zone across the globe, a Jordanian fingerprint is found, be it from a military doctor, a peacekeeping officer, or a relief team.
More than 100,000 members of the Jordan Armed Forces have served in UN peacekeeping missions, not merely as soldiers but as carriers of compassion. In Haiti, they offered aid after the earthquake; in Kosovo, they stood with children threatened by displacement; and in Darfur, they raised the Jordanian flag as a beacon of life in villages plagued by hunger and fear. Jordan's contributions extend beyond military roles. The kingdom was among the first to establish field hospitals in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Libya. These hospitals were not just white tents; they were sanctuaries of dignity, where children were born, mothers treated, and the brows of injured elders gently wiped.
Da'jah noted that generosity in Jordan is not seasonal but a way of life. The kingdom has long been a safe haven for the vulnerable, treating refugee influxes not as burdens but as moral obligations. For decades, refugee camps on Jordanian soil have offered not just food, but education, healthcare, and dignity. Even in the absence of media spotlights, Jordanian aid has reached Sudan during floods, remained active in Gaza despite siege and war, and was among the first to arrive in Lebanon after the Beirut port explosion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while borders were closing worldwide, Jordan sent medical aid to Tunisia, respiratory supplies to India, and medications to Syria and Yemen. The message remained clear: "We are not rich, but we are rich in giving."
Hisham Kasasbeh, professor of administrative and constitutional law at Al-Zaytoonah University, told Petra that the efforts of Jordanian Civil Defense in Syria reflect an ongoing engagement with Arab causes and international humanitarian obligations. He explained that these actions align with both international conventions and national legislation. Article 18(A) of the 1990 Jordan Civil Defense Law states that all civil defense personnel are on-call to serve anytime, domestically or abroad. Article 18(B) considers anyone who dies in the line of duty a martyr under the Military Retirement Law.
On the international front, while there is no specific convention solely for firefighters, multiple global standards and principles such as those issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and protections granted under the Geneva Conventions provide a framework for safeguarding civil defense personnel. Kasasbeh noted that Jordan's intervention in Syria is consistent with the spirit of International Firefighters' Day, observed on May 4 each year. For Jordanian Civil Defense, he said, this is more than a commemoration; it is real action on the ground, a reflection of professionalism and integrity, and a continuation of ethical values supported by Jordan's leadership.