Syrian Gasoline hikes, Assad's latest wartime austerity move

Syrian people who had seen the coldest winter in 20 years last year, they will the same season, according to weather forecasts, But amid the hysterical prices for gasoline, diesel and transportation.

Syrian regime raised on Friday the price of gasoline and transportation in its latest wartime austerity move, a step likely to increase hardship for many Syrians already suffering from the economic consequences of civil war, Associated Press said.

The price hike was announced late Friday. The price of a liter (quarter gallon) of gasoline increased by 25 percent, from 80 Syrian pounds (45 cents, on the black market) to 100 (57 cents), according to a government declaration. Official Imad al-Assil said the decision would simultaneously raise transportation fees by 17 percent.

The consequences of a gasoline price rise are likely to be most punishing for Syrians living in rebel-held regions, where fuel is smuggled in, or rushed through unsafe roads. It can be up to three times as expensive as in the government zones.

The increase will also impact the price of food due to increased transportation costs. International groups say that rising prices has already made it difficult for Syrians to afford food, and activists have reported pockets of malnutrition in rebel enclaves like the suburbs of Damascus.

 Any increases will also likely raise heating costs for many city households, which use gasoline-powered generators to cope with frequent outages.

Syria has been importing gasoline to make up for a shortfall in local production, interrupted by the 2 ½-year conflict. It last raised the price of gasoline in May.

The conflict has shattered Syria's economy, killed more than 100,000 people and forced over 2 million from their homes.

 Syrian people who had seen the coldest winter in 20 years last year, they will have the same season, according to weather forecasts, But amid the hysterical prices for gasoline, diesel and transportation.

Syrian regime raised on Friday the price of gasoline and transportation in its latest wartime austerity move, a step likely to increase hardship for many Syrians already suffering from the economic consequences of civil war, Associated Press said.

The price hike was announced late Friday. The price of a liter (quarter gallon) of gasoline increased by 25 percent, from 80 Syrian pounds (45 cents, on the black market) to 100 (57 cents), according to a government declaration. Official Imad al-Assil said the decision would simultaneously raise transportation fees by 17 percent.

The consequences of a gasoline price rise are likely to be most punishing for Syrians living in rebel-held regions, where fuel is smuggled in, or rushed through unsafe roads. It can be up to three times as expensive as in the government zones.

 The increase will also impact the price of food due to increased transportation costs. International groups say that rising prices has already made it difficult for Syrians to afford food, and activists have reported pockets of malnutrition in rebel enclaves like the suburbs of Damascus.

 Any increases will also likely raise heating costs for many city households, which use gasoline-powered generators to cope with frequent outages.

Syria has been importing gasoline to make up for a shortfall in local production, interrupted by the 2 ½-year conflict. It last raised the price of gasoline in May.

The conflict has shattered Syria's economy, killed more than 100,000 people and forced over 2 million from their homes.

(Eqtsad with AP)