Syria sees nationwide protests over fuel price hikes

Demonstrators set fire to tyres and blocked major highways on Saturday as protests over sharply higher fuel prices spread across several Syrian cities. The unrest, which began after the government announced a steep increase in gasoline and diesel costs, quickly escalated into large‑scale road blockades that disrupted traffic on the Damascus‑Homs and Aleppo‑Idlib corridors, prompting commuters to seek alternative routes.

Authorities deployed police and traffic units to clear the barricades, resulting in a number of arrests and the dispersal of crowds using tear gas in some locations. Officials cited the need to maintain public order and keep essential transport arteries open, while opposition groups warned that the price hikes could deepen economic hardship for citizens already facing inflation and unemployment. The protests underscore mounting public discontent with the government's economic policies, and authorities have indicated that they will monitor the situation closely to prevent further escalation.