The nationwide protests in Syria, sparked by the increase in fuel prices, reveal a deep gap between the promises of the Syrian interim government and the economic realities faced by citizens. These protests, which have particularly emerged in northeastern, northwestern, and central Syria, have occurred due to the rise in the price of each liter of gasoline and diesel.
Reasons and Dimensions of the Protests
The price of each liter of 95-octane gasoline has risen to 195 Syrian pounds, and diesel to 175 pounds. Additionally, the price of domestic gas has reached 1600 pounds, and industrial gas has hit 2570 pounds. This price increase comes at a time when many Syrian citizens live below the poverty line and suffer from a severe decline in income.
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Protesters initially gathered in the cities of Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa, and quickly these protests spread to the cities of Aleppo, Idlib, and Suwayda. In these gatherings, protesters expressed their discontent with the rising fuel prices and the dire economic conditions by burning tires and blocking main roads.
Response of the Syrian Interim Government
Officials from the Joulani regime have linked their decision to raise fuel prices to global price increases, claiming that this decision is temporary. However, protesters have not been convinced by these explanations and have demanded the cancellation of this decision. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the interim government's performance and the failure to fulfill economic promises.
The head of the Syrian interim government has stated that the Syrian economy is transitioning from a quasi-socialist state to a free market, promising improvements in economic conditions and production in the near future. However, these promises have been met with skepticism due to a history of unfulfilled commitments.
These protests, which have become the largest wave of dissent since the rise of the Joulani regime, are not solely related to the increase in fuel prices but indicate a deeper dissatisfaction with the overall economic conditions in the country. Many Syrian citizens express discontent regarding the interim government's promises and the affluent lifestyle of officials amid the current crisis.
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