Syrians Hope For Better Fuel Prices As Protesters Hit The Streets

The Syrian government says the hikes are temporary.

Protests have erupted across several parts of Syria, following a sharp increase in fuel prices. This is with diesel rising by up to 40 percent and gasoline, by as much as 28 percent. Demonstrators have taken to the streets over concerns about the impact of the increase on transportation and the wider cost of living.

The Syrian government says the hikes are temporary, citing higher fuel import costs and an overhaul of the Baniyas refinery, as the immediate cause for the increase. With prices rising and public concerns increasing, questions are also mounting over how much more economic pressure Syrian households can withstand in the meantime.