‘People don’t have money’: Syrian fuel hikes deepen economic pain

A sudden government decree that raised diesel prices by 40% and petrol by 28% sparked demonstrations across Syria from Aleppo and Idlib to Hama and Deraa, with protesters burning tyres and blocking major roads, including the Damascus-Aleppo highway. While initial street actions eased in some areas, blockades persisted in others: protesters in the northeast halted traffic on the M4 near Tal Tamr, leaving hundreds of oil tankers stranded and demanding a reversal of the hikes.

The price rise adds to a series of increases since February, during which 95-octane petrol jumped about 86% and diesel more than doubled; benchmark Brent crude rose roughly 44% in the same timeframe. Syrian authorities point to high international oil costs and a shortfall in domestic production — the Energy Ministry estimates national output at around 100,000 barrels per day against a domestic need of roughly 300,000–325,000 barrels — leaving about 60% of diesel supply dependent on imports.

The immediate impact is being felt across transport and market sectors. In Damascus, minibus fares rose from 30 to 45 cents, squeezing drivers whose daily take-home is largely consumed by fuel expenses. Larger operators say their diesel bills have surged substantially: one tour bus operator reported the cost to fill a 90-litre tank rose from the equivalent of $84 to $120, and cross-border services now face diesel costs of about $280 per round trip. Market vendors described delivery freight charges tripling overnight, a cost that is passed on to consumers who are already cash-strapped.

The fuel shock has also fuelled a black market for diesel, with security forces intercepting tankers heading to unlicensed refineries. The government characterises the hikes as temporary; meanwhile, Syria’s People’s Assembly planned to question the Energy Minister over the increases, but that session was postponed to September 20. For many Syrians still recovering from a more than decade-long war that ended with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, the sudden rise in fuel costs risks deepening poverty and undermining efforts to stabilise household finances and the broader economy.