Protests have erupted in several cities across Syria following the government’s decision to increase fuel prices, with demonstrators blocking a major highway for several hours. According to Al Jazeera, the government raised diesel prices by up to 40 percent and petrol prices by 28 percent on Sunday, describing the increases……
Protests have erupted in several cities across Syria following the government’s decision to increase fuel prices, with demonstrators blocking a major highway for several hours.
According to Al Jazeera, the government raised diesel prices by up to 40 percent and petrol prices by 28 percent on Sunday, describing the increases as temporary measures driven by a sharp rise in the global cost of securing fuel.
The government also attributed the higher prices to an overhaul of the Baniyas refinery, which is expected to increase its capacity from 80,000 to 130,000 barrels per day.
Protests were reported in Hama, Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan, with footage published by Al Jazeera showing crowds gathering on streets and burning tyres. The price increases have also sparked heated debate on social media.
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Syria currently produces about 102,000 barrels of oil per day but requires around 325,000 barrels daily for domestic consumption, forcing the country to rely on imports to meet the shortfall, Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said on Saturday.
The Ministry of Energy said it would continue reviewing fuel prices in response to changes in global market conditions and would work to expand refining and storage capacity over the long term, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
Fuel supplies remain crucial to Syria’s economic recovery as the country works to rebuild after 14 years of war.
