Protests break out across Syria over fuel price increases
Protesters blocked major roads and tanker routes as the government said the hikes were temporary and tied to higher import costs and supply shortages.
- On Saturday, Syria's government raised diesel prices by 40% to 175 Syrian pounds a litre, sparking widespread protests across the country with demonstrators blocking highways linking Damascus to Aleppo.
- Energy Ministry spokesperson Abdulhamid Salat cited higher global procurement costs and Syria's heavy dependence on imports as drivers of the temporary increases; the Baniyas refinery's three-month maintenance closure compounded supply constraints.
- The United Nations Development Programme estimates 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, while 95-octane gasoline prices have surged about 86% since February, deepening economic hardship across the nation.
- Protesters in Aleppo appealed directly to President Ahmed, with Bassam al-Ali stating, "We don't want new roundabouts or malls. We just want to live." Taxi driver Imad Abu Ras reported passengers already objecting to higher fares.
- Supply remains constrained as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have reduced production, prompting Moscow to restrict fuel exports. Damascus has relied on importing around 60,000 barrels per day of Russian crude this year, intensifying pressure on energy availability.
85 Articles
85 Articles
Mass protests have erupted across Syria over a sharp increase in fuel prices announced over the weekend, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA. The agency notes that these are the largest protest demonstrations since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad nearly two years ago. Protesters burned tires and blocked key roads, including the highway connecting the capital Damascus with the industrial center of Aleppo, after the government on Sat…
Protests against fuel price hikes have spread to at least six provinces in Syria, with demonstrators blocking roads and oil tanker routes. Meanwhile, more than 50 lawmakers have demanded that Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir be held accountable for the price hikes and their impact on citizens. The protests entered their second day on Monday, as fuel prices rose by 25 to 40 percent after a new temporary price list came into effect. The Syrian p…
Syria fuel crisis exposes risks for Nigeria, other nations
By Udeme Akpan Syria’s latest fuel crisis has highlighted the vulnerability of countries that depend heavily on imported crude, refined products or foreign energy supplies, with implications for Nigeria and other developing economies.Syria raised diesel prices by 40% and gasoline prices by up to 28% following rising global procurement costs and disruptions to its domestic […]
In Syria, the largest protests have been launched since the overthrow of Bashar Assad because of the sharp rise in the cost of petroleum products. Following the Government ' s surge in fuel prices, there have been massive disturbances, reports Reuters and Al Jazeera. The demonstrators have set fire to the tyres and blocked key highways, including the road between Damascus and Aleppo. The protests have also reached Hama, Khan Sheikhoun and M…
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