Syria fuel price hikes test public patience with economic recovery

The sight of protesters blocking roads and burning tyres on the streets of several Syrian cities and towns has highlighted popular anger over a government decision to increase fuel prices and a wider cost-of-living crisis.The protests, which erupted on Sunday, come after months of complaints about soaring energy costs and criticisms that the lives of many Syrians have not improved since the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Protests break out across Syria over fuel price increaseslist 2 of 3Will the Houthi attacks activate the Mecca Pact?list 3 of 3At least seven killed in fire at prison in northern Syriaend of listThe Syrian government has defended its efforts, arguing that it will take time to overcome decades of economic stagnation and international isolation.The trigger for Sunday’s protests was a government announcement that diesel prices would rise by 40 percent, petrol by at least 25 percent and cooking gas around nine percent.The government said the increases were temporary and caused by a spike in refined petroleum products following the US-Israeli war on Iran and renewed hostilities in Yeme...