Hike in fuel prices triggers protests in Syria

Protests have spread across Syria over the government’s hiking of fuel prices, with demonstrators demanding a reversal of the increases by blocking roads, according to Arab News and agencies on September 14th. 

In rural Aleppo, videos emerged of protesters closing roads in towns such as Azaz and Al-Bab while chanting against the decision to raise prices. 

Demonstrations also blocked the M5 international highway near Maarat al-Nu’man in rural southern Idlib, with footage showing burning tyres on the road in a show of dissatisfaction with the government’s decision. 

The unrest comes after Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said the “increase was needed to bridge a temporary gap between the cost of securing petroleum products and their domestic selling prices,” according to state-run Syrian Arab News Agency on September 12th. 

This was attributed to a reliance on imports due to a national shortage of oil: al-Bashir claimed Syria was producing 102,000 barrels a day, compared with the demand of around 325,000 barrels daily. 

Back in May, a cabinet reshuffle sparked speculation that economic ministries could face further changes due to growing public dissatisfaction with national economic conditions, with the energy, finance and economic sectors facing scrutiny over the rising living costs.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has posed new risks to Middle Eastern oil producers in processing, production and shipping, which raises the costs for insurance, security and transportation, despite regional production costs staying relatively low.

Since Syria’s energy sector relies heavily on imports, higher transportation prices will be hitting it particularly hard. 

Concerns began to ease in July, when prices of Brent crude fell by 9.5% to $87.62 per barrel after the U.S. paused military operations against Iran, but prices and tensions have since risen following several attacks. 

The Syrian Energy Ministry promised to continue reviewing prices as global markets shift, as well as to work on storage expansion to ensure energy security in the long-term. 

Arab News, Maghrebi.org