Rejection of new fuel prices | Residents start strikes and protests in Autonomous Administration’s areas
Syrian Observatory activists have monitored growing popular anger and discontent over the decision of the Autonomous Administration in northern and north-eastern Syria of raising the price of fuel, as demonstrations and sit-in protests took place in several areas, along with the closure of many shops as a part of a strike, opposing the new prices.
The demonstrations took place in al-Shaddadi city, the 47th area, al-Attalah village and other towns and villages in al-Hasakah countryside, where the protestors blocked the roads using rubber tires. While in al-Qahtaniyyah in al-Hasakah countryside, all shops have been closed. Also, many shops have been closed in Ma’badah, Tel Hamis, and other areas in al-Hasakah.
Moreover, a protest took place in al-Malikiyah (Dayrik), while officials in the Autonomous Administration have expressed solidarity with the people’s demands on social media, as the “Head of Qamishlo District” and the “Minister of Energy and Power” in the Jazeera region demanded the authorities review the decision.
Yesterday, SOHR activists reported a state of dissatisfaction among civilians on social media in the Autonomous Administration-controlled areas over the decision of raising the price of fuel, amid calls for demonstrations against the Autonomous Administration in light of the current economic hardship.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has issued a decision, setting new fuel prices in areas under its control, where statement No. 119 states “the co-chairmanship of the Executive Council of North and East Syria decides to set fuel prices in the regions controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria as follows:
- Diesel allocated for mills and bakeries: 100 SYL per litre.
- Diesel used for heating and agriculture: 250 SYL per litre.
- Diesel for the Office of Industry and Services: 300 SYL per litre.
- High quality diesel: 400 SYL per litre.
- Diesel allocated for organizations: 500 SYL per litre.
- Liquid kerosene: 300 SYL per litre.
- High quality petrol: 410 SYL per litre.
- imported high quality petrol: 0.65 USD per litre.
- Gas cylinder: 8,000 SYL.
- Commercial gas cylinder designated for industrial and commercial facilities: 15,000 SYL.
Relevant bodies to be notified of the decision. This decision is based on the proposals by the Public Fuels Department in Book No. 104 dated 5/4/2021, and in accordance with the requirements of the public interest.”