The fuel crisis in Syrian regime-controlled areas has been ongoing for a month, with no government solutions in sight as demand rises with dropping temperatures. Since September, severe fuel shortages have affected essential services, pushing prices to 28,000 Syrian pounds for diesel and 25,000 Syrian pounds for gasoline. Fuel smuggling from Lebanon continues, contributing to the crisis.
The regime’s distribution of fuel allocations has led many to resort to the black market, causing prices to fluctuate. The transportation crisis in cities like Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs has worsened, with bus companies halting operations due to a lack of diesel. The regime’s price hikes for fuel distributed through the “smart card” system have not addressed the crisis.
Fears of Israeli attacks on transport trucks carrying fuel supplies from Hezbollah and Iran could further exacerbate the crisis. Professor Firas Shaabou suggests the regime may seek assistance from UN organizations to alleviate the situation. With no breakthrough expected, residents face continued hardships in accessing fuel.