Fuel price hikes paralyze markets, transportation in Çil Agha, protests block roads

The city of Çil Agha in the Jazira region witnessed an almost complete halt in market activity and public transportation today following the transitional Syrian government’s decision to raise fuel prices.

The increase in fuel prices has also driven up intercity transportation fares. The fare for a single passenger from Çil Agha to Qamishlo has reached around 50,000 Syrian pounds, while food prices have also increased.

Meanwhile, residents of Al-Hamra village, east of Çil Agha, blocked the road linking Çil Agha and Tirbespiye with burning tires. They also blocked the road leading from the international highway toward Çil Agha, opposite the village, known as the Tahonna (Mill) Road.

The transitional Syrian government raised the prices of petroleum products early on September 13. According to the new fuel price list, the price of 95-octane gasoline increased to 195 new Syrian pounds per liter, equivalent to 19,500 old Syrian pounds. The price of 90-octane gasoline rose to 185 Syrian pounds per liter, while diesel reached 175 Syrian pounds per liter. A household gas cylinder was priced at 1,600 Syrian pounds, an industrial gas cylinder at 2,560–2,570 Syrian pounds, and a ton of fuel oil at 52,800 Syrian pounds.

The transitional government had previously set the prices of these products on September 4 at 152 new Syrian pounds, or 15,200 old Syrian pounds, per liter for 95-octane gasoline; 147 new Syrian pounds for 90-octane gasoline; 125 Syrian pounds for diesel; 1,470 Syrian pounds for a household gas cylinder; and 2,350 Syrian pounds for an industrial gas cylinder.

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ANHA