Protests against the Syrian government's decision regarding the fuel price increase continued on Monday in several cities and provinces across the country. The demonstrations took shape as people took to the streets on Sunday following the announcement of the price hikes, expressing concern about the effects of this decision on the cost of living.
Details of the Fuel Price Increase
On Saturday, the Syrian Ministry of Energy released a new list of petroleum product prices that took effect on Sunday. According to this list, the price of diesel fuel increased by 40% to 175 Syrian pounds ($1.31) per liter, while the price of gasoline also rose by about 28%. The Ministry of Energy stated that these increases are temporary and depend on global market rates.
On Sunday, hundreds of people took to the streets in the cities of Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Daraa, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakah to begin protests. Videos shared on social media showed protesters burning tires and demanding explanations from security forces about the effects of this decision on their lives.
Social and Economic Consequences
In some cities, protesters blocked main roads, including the highway connecting Hasakah to Deir ez-Zor, preventing oil trucks from passing. Additionally, in the countryside of Damascus, minibus drivers went on strike due to the price increases, causing traffic disruptions and increased congestion on the streets.
According to information released by the official Syrian news agency, the price of a liter of 95-octane gasoline rose from 152 pounds ($1.14) to 195 Syrian pounds ($1.46), and the price of a liter of 90-octane gasoline increased from 147 pounds ($1.10) to 185 Syrian pounds ($1.38).
The 40% increase in diesel prices marked the largest hike, bringing the price per liter to 175 Syrian pounds ($1.31). This situation has heightened serious concerns regarding the cost of living and its impacts on various segments of society.
These protests are being described as one of the largest gatherings since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Since Assad's removal, Syria has witnessed sporadic protests, including gatherings by the Druze community in Suwayda province in January 2025 and protests by Alawites in the coastal province of Latakia in the same year. However, the recent protests are primarily driven by rising living costs and are not related to political or religious demands.
The Syrian Ministry of Energy has attributed the price increases to rising global costs of petroleum products and a decrease in domestic refining capacity. The Baniyas refinery, which is Syria's largest, has been inactive since July and is expected to remain closed for about two more months, increasing the country's need for imported petroleum products.
The Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, is trying to rebuild the war-torn energy sector and reduce dependence on imports. However, the country remains reliant on foreign oil and vulnerable to regional and global fluctuations. Global oil prices rose by 4.59% on Monday, reaching $109.30 per barrel.
