Syrian Government Overlooks Protests, Raises Oil Prices

Women drying figs in northwestern Syria (AFP)
Women drying figs in northwestern Syria (AFP)
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Syrian Government Overlooks Protests, Raises Oil Prices

Women drying figs in northwestern Syria (AFP)
Women drying figs in northwestern Syria (AFP)

The Syrian government announced a significant hike in oil derivative prices, despite the protests, just a month after increasing state workers' salaries, alongside a suite of economic measures that have exacerbated living conditions for many.

Addressing the People's Assembly, the government justified these economic decisions, attributing the nation's financial struggles mainly to the war.

Prime Minister Hussein Arnous remarked that defending the country negatively impacted the national economy, asserting that Syria has triumphed in its battle for sovereignty and dignity and preserving an independent nationwide decision.

Arnous presentation notably sidestepped the widespread protests in Sweida in response to the government's measures that saw a 300 percent increase in oil derivative prices.

It led to an unprecedented price surge and a collapse in the living standards for a vast segment of Syrians.

Currently, nearly 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, with more than 15 million needing humanitarian assistance, a trend sustained over the past years, according to this year's data from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The government acknowledged its limitations in addressing the economic crises, and the Prime Minister reiterated his administration's commitment to covering the costs of this year's public expenditure.

He summarized the procedures adopted by the government to tackle the situation, noting that the cabinet has taken a series of remedial measures, some of which are of phased features, others of long-term strategy, and all have development dimensions.

In a sudden move, the Ministry of Internal Trade announced on Sunday a decision to raise the prices of several oil derivatives, including diesel, free fuel oil, liquefied gas, and gasoline.

Economists predict that this will further increase the prices of goods, living necessities, and transportation.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the sharp rise in the exchange rate has contributed to an increase in the bill for public expenditure, reaching figures exceeding the limits of some of the state's general budget.

It has also exacerbated the deficit gap between resources and public spending.

He pointed out that those with limited incomes suffer the most from the decline in their purchasing power.

Arnous indicated significant challenges in providing support in traditional ways, which drain the state's resources.

Meanwhile, protests in Sweida continued, with many demanding the implementation of United Nations Resolution 2254.

Local sources have reported calls for evening protests throughout the rural areas of Sweida province.

Citizens took to the streets in protest against the decision of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) to increase diesel prices.

Hundreds of city residents participated in strikes in al-Qamishli, al-Malikiyah, and Ayn al-Arab after the Administration increased oil prices threefold in an area rich in oil and energy fields.

A Kurdish Rojava official revealed that the price increase included all industrial facilities, tourist vehicles, hospitals, private companies, and the management of civil and military institutions.

Hundreds of Qamishli residents, political figures, and activists protested Monday before the municipality headquarters, chanting against the Rojava decisions.

Politician Hassan Saleh said they hope the Administration will back down, warning that the price increase exceeds people's capabilities.

Furthermore, shop owners announced a general strike in al-Malikiyah against the price increase, calling families to participate.

Citizens of Ain al-Arab also went on strike and closed the industrial area completely. They marched the streets chanting against the Rojava decision.



Italy Says Suspending EU Sanctions on Syria Could Help Encourage Transition

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (SANA via AP)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (SANA via AP)
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Italy Says Suspending EU Sanctions on Syria Could Help Encourage Transition

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (SANA via AP)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (SANA via AP)

Italy's foreign minister says a moratorium on European Union sanctions on Syria could help encourage the country's transition after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad by opposition groups.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani visited Syria on Friday and expressed Italy’s keen interest in helping Syria recover from civil war, rebuild its broken economy and help stabilize the region.

Tajani, who met with Syria’s new de facto leaders, including Ahmed al-Sharaa, said a stable Syria and Lebanon was of strategic and commercial importance to Europe.

He said the fall of Assad's government, as well as the Lebanon parliament's vote on Thursday to elect army commander Joseph Aoun as president, were signs of optimism for Middle East stability.

He said Italy wanted to play a leading role in Syria’s recovery and serve as a bridge between Damascus and the EU, particularly given Italy’s commercial and strategic interests in the Mediterranean.

“The Mediterranean can no longer just be a sea of death, a cemetery of migrants but a sea of commerce a sea of development,” he said.

Tajani later traveled to Lebanon and met with Aoun. Italy has long played a sizeable role in the UN peacekeeping force for Lebanon, UNIFIL.

On the eve of his visit, Tajani presided over a meeting in Rome with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and officials from Britain, France and Germany as well as the EU foreign policy chief. He said that meeting of the so-called Quintet on Syria was key to begin the discussion about a change to the EU sanctions.

“The sanctions were against the Assad regime. If the situation has changed, we have to change our choices,” Tajani said.