--- title: "Syria raises diesel 40% and petrol up to 28% as protests spread across five provinces" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin" category: "Business & Economy" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-09-18T08:45:40.178Z" source_reported: "2026-09-18T07:51:19.000Z" updated: "2026-09-18T08:45:40.178Z" trust_score: 64 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-18T08:12:50.567Z" --- # Syria raises diesel 40% and petrol up to 28% as protests spread across five provinces *Energy Minister Mohammed Al‑Bashir cites exceptional circumstances while demonstrators block roads in Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Hasakah and Raqqa* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 64 of 100, higher is better. Trust 64: includes named minister and figures with source, but lacks multiple independent reports. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: explains context, quotes minister, provides specific data, clear structure, and outlines next steps. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Hype 45: digests use sensational language, but core facts are modestly presented. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Syria raised diesel by 40% and petrol up to 28% on 13 September - Energy Minister Mohammed Al‑Bashir said the hikes were caused by “exceptional and complex circumstances” and higher import costs - Protests and road blockages erupted in Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Hasakah and Raqqa - The government later announced cheaper diesel for heating, agriculture and industry On 13 September the Syrian government increased the price of diesel by 40 percent and the price of petrol by as much as 28 percent. The Energy Ministry said the move was temporary and linked to higher international costs for refined petroleum products and a two‑month overhaul of the Baniyas refinery that reduced domestic refining capacity. Syria produces about 102,000 barrels of oil per day while domestic demand is roughly 325,000 barrels, leaving the country dependent on imports. The price hikes triggered protests that spread across several provinces. Demonstrators blocked the M5 highway and other major roads in Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Hasakah and Raqqa, chanting against the increases and demanding a reversal. The People’s Assembly postponed a scheduled questioning of the Energy Minister to allow more time for the ministry to prepare a response. > “exceptional and complex circumstances” > > — Mohammed Al‑Bashir, Energy Minister **40%** — Diesel price increase (on 13 September) ## What the coverage left out None of the left‑rated reports mention the 40 percent diesel increase, the 28 percent petrol increase or the minister’s justification. The centre‑rated report does not include the minister’s quote or the list of provinces where protests occurred. None of the right‑rated digests refer to the government’s later offer of cheaper diesel for heating, agriculture and industry. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 17% (1) - Centre: 16% (1) - Right: 67% (4) 8 of 14 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-18T08:12:50.567Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-18T09:00:34.109Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The teleSUR digest highlighted the intensification of roadblocks by popular sectors in response to the fuel‑price rise. It did not mention the specific percentage increases, the minister’s justification, or the later offer of cheaper diesel. ### Centre - The Reuters digest reported that the government would offer cheaper diesel for heating, agriculture and industry, and described the protests as the most widespread since the fall of Bashar al‑Assad. It omitted the minister’s quote about “exceptional and complex circumstances” and did not list the provinces where road blockages occurred. ### Right - Arab News, in its full report, quoted Energy Minister Mohammed Al‑Bashir saying the hikes were forced by “exceptional and complex circumstances”. The same outlet’s digest echoed the minister’s explanation and noted road blockages in multiple provinces. Topwar.ru’s digest described protests turning violent in Ain al‑Arab, with demonstrators removing government flags and clashing with officials. Report24’s digest added that security forces fired sharp ammunition at demonstrators in Raqqa. The Ron Paul Institute’s digest framed the unrest as anti‑Sharaa regime demonstrations, calling the president “Jolani”. None of the right‑rated digests mentioned the cheaper diesel offer. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 2 - mixed: 2 - unknown: 8 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [topwar.ru](https://topwar.ru/289969-vooruzhennye-stolknovenija-nachalis-v-sirii-na-fone-rosta-cen-na-toplivo.html) — Armed Clashes in Syria Amid Rising Fuel Prices - [teleSUR](https://telesurtv.net/protestas-siria-encarecimiento-combustibles) — Protests Continue in Syria After Fuel Prices - [Perspektive](https://perspektive-online.net/2026/09/brennende-reifen-und-verzweifelte-menschen-massenproteste-in-syrien) — Burning Tires and Desperate People: Mass Protests in Syria - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/business/energy/syria-offers-cheaper-diesel-after-fuel-price-protests-2026-09-17) — Syria offers cheaper diesel after fuel-price protests - [Capital.gr](https://capital.gr/diethni/4017507/suria-fthinotero-to-ntizel-meta-tis-diamarturies-gia-tis-times-ton-kausimon) — Syria: Diesel Cheaper After Fuel Price Protests - [Arab News](https://arabnews.jp/en/middle-east/syria-minister-defends-fuel-price-hike-amid-protests-over-rising-costs-3000196) — Syrian Minister Defends Fuel Price Hike, Faces Protests over Increased Costs. - [The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity](https://ronpaulinstitute.org/syrian-protests-spread-to-aleppo-raqqa-while-jolani-enjoys-red-carpet-at-dubai-media-event) — Syrian Protests Spread To Aleppo, Raqqa While Jolani Enjoys Red Carpet At Dubai Media Event - [notiziegeopolitiche.net](https://notiziegeopolitiche.net/siria-il-governo-alza-del-40-i-carburanti-e-la-piazza-insorge-prima-prova-per-il-dopo-assad) — Syria, the Government Raises Fuel by 40% and the Square Rises: First Test for the Post-Assad - [Islamabad Post](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/syria-minister-defends-fuel-price-hike-amid-protests-over-rising-costs) — Syria minister defends fuel price hike amid protests over rising costs - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/middle-east/syria-minister-defends-fuel-price-hike-amid-protests-over-rising-costs-3002090) — Syria minister defends fuel price hike amid protests over rising costs - [Report24](https://report24.news/syrien-kocht-massenproteste-gegen-al-dscholani-sicherheitskraefte-feuern-scharf) — Syria Cooks: Mass Protests Against Al-Jolani – Security Forces Fire Sharp - [Contro Piano](https://contropiano.org/news/internazionale-news/2026/09/17/siria-e-rivolta-sociale-contro-il-governo-di-al-sharaa-0198687) — Syria. It Is Social Revolt Against the Government of Al Sharaa - Counterplan - [Kulturjam](https://kulturjam.it/politica-e-attualita/la-siria-in-rivolta-al-sharaa-brucia-la-sua-rivoluzione) — Syria in Revolt, Al-Sharaa Burns Its Revolution - [AFV](https://ancorafischiailvento.org/2026/09/17/siria-carburante-alle-stelle-nuove-proteste-contro-il-governo-al-sharaa) — SYRIA, CARBURANT TO STARS: NEW PROTEST AGAINST AL-SHARAA GOVERNMENT ## Questions **What fuel price changes did the Syrian government implement?** On 13 September the government raised diesel prices by 40 percent and petrol prices by up to 28 percent, describing the increases as temporary and linking them to higher international costs and a refinery overhaul. **Why did the Energy Minister say the hikes were necessary?** Energy Minister Mohammed Al‑Bashir told reporters that “exceptional and complex circumstances” and higher costs for imported fuel forced the government to adjust prices, without providing further detail on the measures discussed with the president. **Which areas saw protests and road blockages?** Demonstrations and road blockages were reported in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Hasakah and Raqqa, with protesters chanting against the price hikes and blocking major highways such as the M5. **Did the government respond with any relief measures?** Yes, the government announced a cheaper diesel programme for heating, agriculture and industry a few days after the protests, as reported by Reuters, but this relief was not mentioned in the right‑rated coverage. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Syria raises diesel 40% and petrol up to 28% as protests spread across five provinces", https://mediabias.news/business/syria-raises-diesel-40-and-petrol-up-to-28-as-protests-spread-across-five-provin