Syria Erupts in Fuel Protests After Diesel Prices Jump 40%
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 14
Syria Erupts in Fuel Protests After Diesel Prices Jump 40%
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 14
Summary
Protests spread across Hama, Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan after Syria raised fuel prices, with demonstrators blocking a main highway for hours and burning tyres.
Up to 40% higher diesel prices and 28% higher petrol prices took effect Sunday, which the government said were temporary and driven by surging global fuel procurement costs.
Baniyas refinery upgrades also figured in the increase, with Damascus saying the overhaul will lift capacity to 130,000 barrels per day from 80,000.
Syria produces about 102,000 barrels of oil a day but needs roughly 325,000 for domestic use, leaving it dependent on imports as fuel supply remains central to postwar economic recovery.