Protests have erupted across several cities in Syria after
the government raised fuel prices, citing global price surges linked to the
United States-Iran war.
The price increases, announced on Sunday, saw diesel rise by
up to 40 percent and petrol by 28 percent.
Demonstrations continued into Monday, marking a second
consecutive day of unrest over the hikes.
It is the first such protest since the Islamist authority
seized power after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Protests were previously banned under Assad, whose violent crackdown on
demonstrations against his rule in 2011 led to a 13-year civil war.
Videos shared on social media showed crowds gathering on the
street, burning tyres, and blocking major highways.
The price hikes come as Syria seeks to rebuild after years
of war, which have left much of the population in poverty.
According to the United Nations (UN), nine out of 10 Syrians
live in poverty and face food insecurity; 50 percent of the country’s
infrastructure has been destroyed or rendered dysfunctional; and 75 percent of
the population now depends on some form of humanitarian aid.
Exports and foreign exchange reserves have also declined to
a fraction of their pre-conflict levels, severely limiting the country’s
capacity to import essential goods, materials, and equipment.
The impact of these economic shocks has been compounded by
international isolation, including sanctions, which have placed additional
strain on an already fragile economy.
With military expenditures taking priority, public debt has
soared, resulting in drastic cuts to public investment, social sector funding,
and government spending on safety nets.
The Syrian parliament said it will hold a hearing on
Thursday for Mohammad al-Bashir, the energy minister, to explain the reasons
behind the hike.
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