Protests have taken place across Syria after the government raised fuel prices on Saturday, with demonstrators blocking roads and oil tanker routes and some calling for the dismissal of Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.
Under the new pricing regime that took effect on Sunday, diesel rose 40 percent from 125 new Syrian pounds (about 1.03 U.S. dollars) to 175 pounds per liter. The price of 95-octane gasoline increased 28.3 percent to 195 pounds per liter, while 90-octane gasoline climbed 25.9 percent to 185 pounds.
In the northwestern city of Azaz, people demanded that the energy minister step down. Smoke hung over the streets as demonstrators burned tires and blocked roads in response to the sharp increase in fuel prices.
"We support the state and oppose vandalism and destruction. But today, honestly, I have reached the point where I can no longer afford bread," said protester Mohammed Ibrahim.
"Honestly, we have begun to fear what kind of new decision each new morning will bring. Life has become extremely expensive. Looking at the neighboring countries, we are sitting on a sea of oil, yet our fuel costs more than them, while they import it. It is unbelievable," said Ahmed Mohammad, another protester.
Syria produces less than a third of the oil it needs, and the price hike is placing additional pressure on households already struggling with poverty and the economic fallout of years of conflict.
Some Syrian lawmakers have expressed sympathy for the protesters and called for citizens' concerns to be communicated directly to government policy-makers.
"We hope to establish a new phase in the People's Assembly—one that genuinely represents the people, their pain and concerns, and conveys them honestly and transparently to government decision-makers," said Abdulrazzaq al-Awad, a member of the Syrian People's Assembly.
The lawmaker also underlined citizens' right to protest, while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful.
"We hope these demands will be expressed peacefully and responsibly. Destruction, blocking roads and damaging public or private property are things we ask all our fellow citizens to consider a red line," he said.
In response to the protests, the Syrian People's Assembly has summoned Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir to appear before its energy committee on Thursday.
Syria fuel price hikes spark widespread protests
