Fuel protests shake Syria as prices surge
Syrian citizens demand lower fuel costs after government announces steep price hikes.
Fuel protests shake Syria as prices surge — Syrian citizens took to the streets after the government announced on Saturday a 40% increase in the price of diesel, to 175 Syrian pounds per liter.[^1] The government also raised the price of 95-octane gasoline by 28% to 195 pounds per liter, and 90-octane gasoline by 26% to 185 pounds, while gas for household and industrial use increased by about 9%.[^1] "We don't want higher salaries. All we want is for the prices of diesel and other fuels to come down," one Syrian citizen said.[^1] Another added: "The border crossings bring in millions of dollars. We don't want new squares or malls. We just want to live."[^1] The protests reflect deep economic frustration under the new administration led by al-Jolani, as the country struggles with severe fuel shortages and inflation. The price hikes come as Syria's economy remains crippled by years of war and international sanctions. The government's decision to raise fuel prices, a politically sensitive move, suggests it is struggling to balance its budget while facing pressure from international lenders and the need to subsidize basic goods. The popular response indicates that the new leadership's legitimacy may be fragile if it cannot deliver economic stability. Courtroom confrontations and terror suspects: a day in Israeli crime — The Jerusalem District Court extended the remand of Agam Tzrafi, Shilat Huta, and four minors accused of murdering Binyahu Razi in the Nahlaot neighborhood.[^1] The hearing was marked by a raw confrontation: Razi's mother, Dekla, told Huta's mother, "You are talking to your daughter and I can't talk to my son." The parents of the defendants shouted back: "We will sue you, the truth will come out."[^1] Separately, the Shin Bet announced the arrest of a 19-year-old from Kafr Qasim who served as a firefighter in national service, on suspicion of promoting terrorism, planning attacks, and establishing a terror cell.[^2] The suspect was in contact with Hamas and Iranian elements, according to the Shin Bet. The case underscores the challenge of vetting individuals in sensitive national service roles. In other court actions today, the Petah Tikva Magis