Syria sees largest protests since Assad’s ouster

Mass protests against fuel price increases have intensified in Syria.

The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that foreign media outlets cited sources in the region as saying this.

According to the reports, residents have burned tires and blocked major highways in various parts of the country, while also stopping fuel tankers heading to oil refineries. Protesters are demanding the cancellation of price increases introduced on Sept. 12, the restoration of previous tariffs and the immediate resignation of the energy and economy ministers. Clashes between internal security forces and demonstrators have reportedly occurred during the protests.

The new decision reportedly raised diesel prices by 40%, gasoline prices by 26%-28% and household gas prices by about 9%. The protests are considered the largest wave of demonstrations recorded in Syria since the ouster of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024. Abdelhamid Silat, head of the press service at Syria’s Ministry of Energy, said the price increases were a necessary measure linked to the domestic market’s dependence on imports and rising prices on global energy markets.

Fuel prices are particularly sensitive in Syria, where transport, household energy consumption and many economic activities depend heavily on imported energy supplies. Changes in fuel costs can therefore quickly affect transportation expenses and the prices of basic goods.