Amidst soaring prices and a scarcity of essential goods in Syria, the public is calling for the transitional government to restore the security of society and stabilize market prices.
The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government has exacerbated the economic challenges facing Syria due to a lack of basic services, substantial increases in commodity prices, and a sharp decline in the exchange rate of the Syrian pound against the U.S. dollar.
Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in March 2011, Syria has suffered economic losses as a result of a loss of control of resources such as oil and gas, the destruction of infrastructure, and Western sanctions, but the crisis has recently reached its peak.
The political, economic, and security challenges facing Syria have increased the burdens on citizens.
"There are high expenses in the market at present, for example, the high cost of meat, the high cost of housing, the high rents of shops, and the high price of the dollar and gold. There must be supervision over this," said Amal Abu-Ali, a resident.
"Citizens are concerned about two problems: security and the living situation. God willing, the living situation will improve. We pray to God that there will be some control and that the government will not let the merchants control the prices, because the prices have risen a lot these days in a terrifying way. And gas, I hope the new government [will do something]. It is unreasonable for the price of a cylinder of gas to be 200,000 Syrian pounds. The price rose from 20,000 [Syrian pounds] to 200,000 [Syrian pounds]. There are people who do not have money to eat. As a citizen, I do not have enough to buy a cylinder of gas," Tariq Zaatar, another Syrian resident.
The recent regime change in Syria has caused an unprecedented collapse in the exchange rate of the Syrian pound against the U.S. dollar, which has affected the value of the salaries that local employees receive.
"The most significant challenges we face include low salaries, affecting 90 percent of the population, not only the high prices, but the low income. Furthermore, slow Internet speed is a notable issue among many others. And there are many other challenges," said Izz al-Din Bayraktar, a Syrian doctor.
The deteriorating economic conditions, damage to infrastructure, and meeting the basic needs of citizens are the most prominent hurdles faced by Syria's interim authorities.
Syria's economy faces severe challenges, compounding suffering
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
