Key facts
- Syria raised fuel and cooking gas prices on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
- The price of 95-octane gasoline increased by 28.3% to 195 Syrian pounds per liter.
- Diesel prices rose by 40% to 1.75 Syrian pounds per liter.
- The Energy Ministry cited rising global energy and shipping costs as reasons for the increase.
- Reduced domestic refining capacity due to the overhaul of the Banias refinery contributed to the price hike.
- Syria imports about 60% of its petroleum needs and produces 100,000 barrels per day against a demand of 300,000 barrels.
Syria has implemented temporary increases in the prices of fuel and cooking gas, with the changes taking effect on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The nation's Permanent Committee for Pricing Petroleum Products and Mineral Resources announced the adjustments, which saw the price of 95-octane gasoline rise by 28.3% to 195 Syrian pounds per liter, and 90-octane gasoline increase by 25.9% to 185 pounds per liter. Diesel fuel experienced the steepest rise, climbing 40% from approximately 1.03 to 1.44 dollars per liter (or 125 to 175 Syrian pounds). A household gas cylinder now costs 1,600 pounds, up from 1,470, and an industrial cylinder is priced at 2,560 pounds, up from 2,350.
The Energy Ministry attributed these price hikes to a combination of factors, including an "exceptional increase" in global costs for procuring petroleum products and higher freight and shipping expenses. These international pressures are compounded by domestic supply constraints, specifically the ongoing overhaul of the Banias refinery, a key domestic supplier, which has temporarily reduced its production capacity. Syria imports approximately 60% of its petroleum needs and produces around 100,000 barrels per day against a demand of about 300,000 barrels per day.
Protests against the price increases were reported in Markada, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa on September 13. Members of the People's Assembly announced their intention to request an urgent hearing with the energy minister on September 14. Traffic on the Damascus-Aleppo international highway reportedly returned to normal overnight after protests concluded in Maarat al-Numan.