Full Breakdown
Syrian Fuel Price Hikes Spark Nationwide Protests
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Sudden Price Surge and Immediate Unrest
On a Sunday night the Syrian government issued a decree that lifted diesel prices by 40 percent and gasoline by roughly 28 percent. Within hours demonstrators gathered in public squares from Aleppo and Idlib to Hama, Daraa and Deraa, burning tyres and blocking the main highway linking Damascus to Aleppo. In the northeast, protesters halted the M4 near Tal Tamr, stranding hundreds of oil-tanker trucks. The unrest marked the widest street protests since the toppling of the al-Assad regime on December 8 2024.
Background & Context
The interim administration of President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power after the 11-day offensive that ended Bashar al-Assad’s 53-year rule. While sanctions have been lifted, the economy remains fragile. Syria produces about 102,000 bpd of oil but needs roughly 325,000 bpd, leaving it heavily dependent on imports—about 60 percent of diesel is imported, according to the Ministry of Energy. A three-month overhaul of the Baniyas refinery has temporarily reduced refining capacity, tightening supply.
Data & Statistics
- Diesel now costs 175 Syrian pounds per litre, a 40 percent rise.
- 95-octane gasoline increased from 152 to 195 pounds per litre (?28 percent).
- Household gas cylinders rose from 1,470 to 1,600 pounds (?9 percent).
- UNDP estimates 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line.
- Since February, gasoline has risen about 86 percent, while diesel has more than doubled.
Impact on Households and Transport
Bus driver Adel Ali Meree said his earnings are wiped out by the diesel cost, leaving him with only four and a half dollars. Tour-bus operator Bashar Sleiman now spends the equivalent of $120 to fill a 90-litre tank, up from $84, and expects to raise daily fares by at least $15. Produce seller Ahmed Obeid reported freight charges tripling from $4 to $12 per load, a cost he says is passed on to consumers who “don’t have money.”
Official Statements & Responses
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir defended the increase as necessary to bridge the gap between import costs and domestic selling prices. The People’s Assembly had scheduled a parliamentary hearing for the minister, which was postponed to September 20.
Criticism & Opposition
In Aleppo, protester Yasser Salim told Reuters, “We don’t want higher wages. All we want is lower diesel and other fuel prices.” Resident Walid Fares in Idlib called the rise “excessive” and said it is affecting every aspect of social life.
On-the-Ground Reports
Video footage captured crowds burning tyres on the Damascus-Aleppo highway and blocking the M5 near Maarrat al-Numan. In Tal Tamr, hundreds of oil-tanker trucks were stranded after drivers halted the route. Local market sellers reported that higher freight costs are inflating food prices, deepening the cost-of-living crisis.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the cumulative diesel increase since February: some cite a 40 percent overnight jump, while others note an overall rise of more than 86 percent. Precise data on how the hikes will affect wages and the timeline for the Baniyas refinery’s return to full capacity remain unclear.
What’s Next
The postponed parliamentary session on September 20 will question Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir about the price hikes and possible mitigation measures. The Energy Ministry has indicated that prices will continue to be reviewed in line with global market fluctuations and the completion of the Baniyas refinery overhaul.