Syria fuel price protests erupt as Assembly summons energy minister

Protests have broken out in several parts of Syria after the government raised fuel prices, with demonstrators blocking roads and oil tanker routes and some demanding the removal of Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.

The new pricing regime, which took effect on Sunday, pushed diesel up 40 percent, from 125 new Syrian pounds (about 1.03 U.S. dollars) to 175 pounds per litre. The price of 95-octane gasoline rose 28.3 percent to 195 pounds per litre, while 90-octane gasoline climbed 25.9 percent to 185 pounds.

In the northwestern city of Azaz, protesters burned tires and blocked roads, sending smoke over the streets as they called for the energy minister to step down.

"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 Mohammed Ibrahim, one of those taking part.

Another protester, Ahmed Mohammad, said the repeated price changes had left households anxious. "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," he said.

The increase adds to the strain on families already coping with poverty and the economic consequences of years of conflict. Syria produces less than a third of the oil it consumes.

Some members of the Syrian People's Assembly have voiced sympathy with the protesters and urged that public concerns be passed directly to 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 assembly.

Al-Awad also affirmed citizens' right to protest while appealing for calm. "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 unrest, the People's Assembly has summoned Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir to appear before its energy committee on Thursday.