A dramatic increase in fuel prices over the weekend spurred protests across Syria, the most extensive since Bashar Al Assad’s ouster nearly two years ago. Demonstrators burnt tires and blocked major roadways, including the route connecting Damascus to the industrial hub of Aleppo, after Syria’s government raised diesel prices by 40% to 175 Syrian pounds ($1.32) per litre on Saturday.
The price increases added to the pressure on Syrians who have been suffering from an economic catastrophe for years. According to the United Nations Development Program, 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, up from roughly one-third before the Syrian civil war began in 2011. In the steepest of numerous price increases announced since the Iran conflict began, the government hiked household and industrial petrol prices by approximately 9%, 95-octane petrol by 28% to 195 pounds, and 90-octane petrol by 26% to 185 pounds.
Protesters also halted convoys of oil tankers heading to refineries in central Syria, with some calling for the resignation of the energy and economy ministries, as well as the president of the Syrian Petroleum Company. “We do not want increased pay. “All we want are lower diesel and other fuel prices,” Yasser Salim told Reuters in Aleppo. Bassam Al Ali, who was also protesting in Aleppo, addressed President Ahmed Al Sharaa directly, stating that the situation was unacceptable. “Border crossings generate millions of dollars. We do not want new roundabouts or malls. “We just want to live,” he explained.
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