Syria's Parliament Grills Energy Minister Over Fuel Price Hike

Syria's People's Assembly convened a hearing session on Sunday with Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir to examine recent increases in fuel prices, which the government announced last week.

Gasoline and diesel prices rose by 30 to 40 per cent, a move officials attributed to the U.S.-Iran war and repair work at the Baniyas refinery on Syria's coast. The increases triggered protests in several parts of the country, where demonstrators blocked roads and left hundreds of oil trucks stranded on a highway.

Addressing lawmakers, al-Bashir described the situation as part of a wider global energy crisis, noting that Syria's own production and its access to the sea offered some relief. He said the country relies on supplies from friendly and allied nations, which could give it priority in the supply and import process.

The minister projected that Syria could reach self-sufficiency in oil by 2028 if plans proceed without emergencies. For gas, he said the timeline is longer, with the country potentially meeting about half of its requirements by the end of 2030.

Khaled al-Khalaf, a member of the assembly's energy committee, criticised the reconstruction of the Baniyas refinery as proceeding without realistic planning. He argued that the government should first build a strategic reserve of oil and fuel, particularly diesel, which he called the essential commodity in Syria and one that directly affects daily life. "Build up a strategic stockpile of this essential fuel first, and then go ahead with reconstruction as you see fit," he said.

Moayyad Kiblawi, who heads the assembly's media committee, said the public should understand that Syria is a semi-oil-producing country rather than an oil producer, importing more than it produces. He pointed to run-down refineries and poor oil infrastructure, and acknowledged the difficult international situation. He added that prices should be expected to fall when global prices decline.

Syria produces roughly 100,000 barrels of oil per day, while domestic consumption is estimated at about 325,000 barrels per day, leaving the country dependent on imports to cover the gap.