Story perspectives

Syria Raises Fuel Prices Up to 40%, Triggers Protests

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 2:35 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Baniyas Refinery Offline

Syria raised diesel and gasoline prices on Saturday, September 13, 2026, sparking protests that blocked roads in several cities.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jake McGee said the business delegation’s Damascus visit aims to encourage companies to invest in Syria.
The Energy Ministry called the hikes temporary, citing global procurement costs and reduced refinery capacity.
Baniyas refinery, Syria’s largest, has been offline for a three-month overhaul, cutting domestic refining capacity.

Left

M5 Highway Blockade

On Saturday, 13 September 2026, Syria raised diesel prices by up to 40 % and gasoline prices by up to 28 %.
The hikes have deepened a cost-of-living crisis, with UN World Food Programme data showing roughly 90 % of Syrians living in poverty.
Protesters blocked the M5 highway between Aleppo and Damascus, disrupting a key transport corridor.
The People’s Assembly summoned Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir for a hearing on the fuel-price increases.

Blindspot

The United Nations World Food Programme reports that roughly 90 % of Syrians live in poverty, underscoring the severe cost-of-living crisis triggered by the fuel-price hikes.
Within this story's sources, the poverty statistic appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

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Baniyas Refinery Offline

Syria raised diesel and gasoline prices on Saturday, September 13, 2026, sparking protests that blocked roads in several cities.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jake McGee said the business delegation’s Damascus visit aims to encourage companies to invest in Syria.
The Energy Ministry called the hikes temporary, citing global procurement costs and reduced refinery capacity.
Baniyas refinery, Syria’s largest, has been offline for a three-month overhaul, cutting domestic refining capacity.

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