Syrian Fuel Price Hikes Trigger Widespread Protests and Violence

The Government of Syria implemented temporary fuel and cooking gas price increases on September 13, 2026, triggering widespread protests across the country. The Permanent Committee for Pricing Petroleum Products and Mineral Resources raised diesel prices by 40 percent to 175 pounds per liter, while 95-octane gasoline rose by 28.3 percent and 90-octane by 25.9 percent. Household gas cylinders increased by 8.8 percent. Officials attributed the hikes to rising global energy costs linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict and a major overhaul of the Banias refinery.

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir reported a significant supply gap, noting that domestic production of 102,000 barrels per day fails to meet the national demand of 325,000 barrels. The government plans to expand the Banias refinery's capacity to 130,000 barrels per day to reduce import reliance.

Demonstrations erupted in Raqqa, Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, Hama, Idlib, and Maarat al-Numan, where protesters blocked the Aleppo–Damascus highway and burned tires. In the village of Al-Hardan, security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior of the Syrian Arab Republic reportedly fired live ammunition to disperse crowds. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported these clashes and urged restraint from security forces.

The unrest follows a severe cost-of-living crisis since the December 2024 ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The Parliament of Syria is scheduled to hold a hearing this Thursday with the energy minister to discuss the pricing measures.