26.07.2026 18:50
Turkey did not remain indifferent to Spain's emergency assistance request through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as it struggles with forest fires shaking Europe. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced that two firefighting aircraft have taken off to support the fight against the flames in the friendly country. While Turkey's Embassy in Madrid emphasized international solidarity, Spanish Member of European Parliament Nacho Sanchez Amor thanked Turkey and President Erdoğan for the swift support.
Turkey did not delay in responding to Spain's call for international aid as it battles forest fires sweeping across Europe. Following an emergency request conveyed through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, two Turkish firefighting planes were dispatched to Spain. While Turkey's Embassy in Madrid made an official statement, a message of gratitude also came from the Spanish side.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE CALL
Due to forest fires that have been ongoing for days across Spain and are proving difficult to control, the Madrid administration has declared a state of alert. As the scale of the flames grew, Spanish authorities activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and issued an emergency assistance call.
MINISTER YUMAKLI: WE DEPLOYED 2 PLANES FOR FRIENDLY COUNTRY SPAIN
Stating that Turkey did not ignore this call, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumaklı announced that the planes have departed, saying:
"We are following the ongoing forest fires in many European countries with sorrow. As Turkey, we continue to stand by countries in need, just as we have in the past. In this context, upon the support request from our friendly country Spain, we have deployed two of our firefighting planes. Our wish is that no forest burns and no life is harmed, no matter where in the world it is. Because the forest is the common heritage of all humanity."
EMBASSY IN MADRID: WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The details of the aid operation were announced to the public through an official statement by Turkey's Embassy in Madrid. The statement emphasized international cooperation in disaster response and included the following remarks:
"Turkey is providing support to its friend and ally Spain in combating the ongoing forest fires. In line with the assistance request made by Spanish authorities within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Turkey is dispatching two firefighting planes to Spain.
We extend our wishes for a speedy recovery to the people of Spain and share our solidarity. We wish success to the firefighters and emergency personnel who are making great sacrifices on the ground. Turkey believes in the importance of international solidarity in combating disasters. With this understanding, it will continue to stand by friendly countries."
SPANISH DEPUTY THANKS TURKEY AND PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN
This critical air support provided by Turkey without delay was met with great satisfaction in Spain. Spanish Member of the European Parliament Nacho Sanchez Amor conveyed his thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey for this swift solidarity in the face of the disaster.
It was learned that the deployed Turkish planes will begin coordinating with Spanish teams to combat the flames as soon as they arrive in the region.
THE LARGEST FIRE IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY
Spain is battling one of the largest forest fire crises in its history. A national state of emergency has been declared across the country, and over 100,000 people have been evacuated. The flames have burned more than 130,000 hectares of land, and European countries have also sent support for firefighting efforts.