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Widespread Protests Following Fuel Price Hikes… Syrian Government: Prices Could Come Down
Abdul Hamid Slat, director of the media department at Syria’s Ministry of Energy, confirmed that fuel prices are not fixed and are subject to upward or downward review depending on changing costs and circumstances. He explained that the aim is to ensure the availability of fuel and the continuity of its supply to the local market—not to generate profits.
In statements to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Slat said Syria relies heavily on imports to bridge the gap between domestic production, which stands at approximately 100,000 barrels per day, and market demand, which ranges between 300,000 and 325,000 barrels per day.
He noted that the Baniyas Refinery had undergone urgent and temporary technical maintenance to prevent the risk of an operational shutdown. He added that the country currently imports approximately 74% of its diesel needs, 81% of its gasoline needs, and 96% of its household gas.
Slat further explained that the current global crisis is not linked solely to the price of Brent crude, but also involves shortages of refined petroleum products, as well as pressures affecting refining capacity and the shipping sector.
He pointed out that the new prices could decline in the future once the Baniyas Refinery resumes operations and domestic production increases, alongside the rehabilitation of oil fields and wells and efforts to reduce reliance on imports.
