Protests erupt across Syria over fuel price increases

Protests have broken out across several Syrian cities after the government raised diesel and petrol prices, prompting demonstrators to block a main highway and burn tyres. The unrest was reported in Hama, Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan, according to the supplied material. The protests appear to be a direct response to sharp increases announced by the authorities on Sunday.

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The government said diesel prices would rise by up to 40% and petrol by 28%. It described the increases as temporary and linked them to a sharp rise in the global cost of securing fuel. Officials also pointed to an overhaul of the Baniyas refinery, which they said would increase capacity from 80,000 to 130,000 barrels per day.

The Ministry of Energy said it would continue reviewing prices as global market conditions change and would work over the long term to expand refining and storage capacity. Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said on Saturday that the country is producing about 102,000 barrels of oil per day, while domestic consumption needs are about 325,000 barrels per day. That gap leaves Syria reliant on imports, making fuel pricing a sensitive issue for households and businesses.

The protests matter because fuel costs sit at the centre of Syria's wider economic recovery effort after 14 years of war. Any rise in transport and heating costs can quickly affect daily life, especially in areas already under strain from shortages and inflation. The unrest also highlights the government's challenge in balancing energy reform with public pressure.

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The Baniyas refinery is a key part of that effort, and the government has framed the overhaul as a long-term step to strengthen supply. The supplied material says the refinery upgrade is intended to raise output, while the Ministry of Energy has signalled that prices may be reviewed again as conditions change. The debate has also spread onto social media, suggesting the issue is resonating beyond the streets.

What remains unclear is how long the protests will continue and whether they will spread to more cities. It is also not yet clear whether the price increases will be adjusted in response to public pressure. For now, the main points to watch are the scale of the unrest, any official response to the highway blockades, and whether fuel supply conditions improve.

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