Teurer Diesel: Hohe Kraftstoffpreise führen zu größten Protesten in Syrien seit Sturz von Assad
Syrien importiert viel Rohöl aus Russland – das ist teurer geworden. Jetzt erhöht die Regierung die Preise für Treibstoffe und löst die größten Proteste seit dem Sturz von Assad aus.
In Syria, the highest protests since the fall of President Baschar al-Assad nearly two years ago have been triggered by steep fuel price hikes. The Syrian government increased the price of diesel by 40 percent to 175 Syrian pounds (approximately $1.32 per liter) per liter on Saturday. Alongside the rise in diesel prices, the cost of gasoline and gas also went up.
Demonstrations blocked major transportation routes, including the highway connecting the capital Damascus to the industrial hub Aleppo. They also hampered oil tankers en route to refineries and called for the resignation of the energy and economy ministers. A protester in Aleppo told Reuters, "We don't want higher wages. All we want is lower prices for diesel and other fuels."
The Syrian energy minister announced on Sunday that the price increases were a temporary measure due to higher global procurement costs and Syria's heavy dependence on imports. This year, Syria imported about 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Russia. These shipments faced pressure as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries slowed production and Moscow restricted exports.
Additionally, Syria's largest refinery in Banias was closed for three months for maintenance. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 90 percent of the Syrian population now lives below the poverty line. More: Turkey and Israel dispute over Syria's future.
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