Syrian Cities See Widespread Demonstrations Over Fuel Price Hikes

Demonstrators burn tyres and block highways as protests over increased fuel prices grip Syrian cities.

Published On 14 Sep 202614 Sep 2026

Protests have erupted across several Syrian cities following the government’s decision to increase fuel prices, with demonstrators blocking a major highway for several hours.

The government raised prices on Sunday by up to 40 percent on diesel and 28 percent on petrol, attributing the increases to a temporary surge in global fuel procurement costs.

Syria’s government also pointed to the ongoing overhaul of the critical Baniyas refinery as a contributing factor, noting that the project aims to boost capacity from 80,000 to 130,000 barrels per day.

Protests were reported in Hama, Khan Sheikhoun and Maarat al-Numan. Video footage shows crowds gathering on the streets and burning tyres. The price hikes also sparked intense discussion on social media platforms.

According to Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, the country currently produces approximately 102,000 barrels of oil per day, while domestic demand stands at around 325,000 barrels per day, requiring significant fuel imports to bridge the gap.

The Ministry of Energy stated it will continue monitoring pricing in response to evolving global market conditions, while working toward long-term goals of expanding refining and storage infrastructure, as reported by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

For Syria, securing reliable fuel supplies remains crucial to the nation’s economic recovery efforts as it continues rebuilding after more than a decade of conflict.

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