Syrian People's Council Approves Hearing for Energy Minister Following Fuel Price Hikes

The Syrian People’s Assembly office approved holding a hearing for Energy Minister Mohammed Al-Bashir, at the request of Iqbal Mohammed Mansour, head of the Energy Committee, to discuss the increase in prices of petroleum derivatives announced the day before yesterday. The Assembly clarified via its official accounts that the request for the hearing follows the Energy Committee’s meeting held the day before yesterday, and is based on Article 30 of the Constitutional Declaration and in accordance with the provisions of Article 168 of the People’s Assembly Internal Regulations. The hearing aims to hear clarifications from the Ministry of Energy regarding the reasons for the rise in petroleum derivative prices, as well as the circumstances and considerations accompanying the issuance of the notice. The hearing is scheduled to take place on Thursday at 12:00 noon at the People’s Assembly headquarters. The Ministry of Energy had previously announced a significant increase in fuel prices, justifying the move by citing an exceptional rise in the global cost of securing these derivatives, coinciding with the maintenance shutdown of the Baniyas refinery. It noted that the adjustment is temporary and aims to ensure the continuity of supplies and the availability of fuel in the local market. Following the announcement of the price hike, protests erupted in several areas in Syria the day before yesterday, including Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqa, and Al-Hasakah, where demonstrators blocked major roads, set tires on fire, and demanded a reversal of the decision. Protests renewed yesterday, with dozens gathering in areas of Al-Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa to reject the fuel price increase, which the Syrian Ministry of Energy described as temporary and linked to global prices. Local news networks broadcast video footage showing dozens gathering in the Al-Shadadi area of Al-Hasakah, amid burning tires, with individuals seen speaking to security forces personnel and complaining about the decision’s impact on their lives and businesses. Protests and road blockades also took place in the town of Tell Brak in Al-Hasakah, amid popular demands to reconsider the decision.