International pledges are measured in billions, but many households still struggle to afford essentials. A sudden policy reversal offers a glimpse of how quickly public pressure can reshape Damascus.
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria’s authorities faced a serious test: a sharp rise in fuel prices sparked mass protests. Demonstrators criticized interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while security forces made no attempt to stop the rallies. State media covered them – unlike under al-Assad, when protests were sought to be discredited.
As mentioned by CNN
Public anger was sparked by the government’s decision to raise fuel prices by 40%. The authorities attributed the increase to the global energy crisis caused by the war with Iran. After the demonstrations, the government partially reversed the price hike and summoned the energy minister to parliament.
The price surge has hit the population especially hard, as a large share of people live in poverty. According to the World Bank, two-thirds of Syrians live on less than $3.65 a day – below the poverty line set for lower-middle-income countries.
Investment pledges have yet to change everyday life
Ahmed al-Sharaa is seeking to attract foreign capital and restore Syria’s international ties. Rebuilding the country is estimated to cost $216 billion. Last year, the Syrian authorities valued investment agreements with Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates at $28 billion.
The European Union pledged €2.7 billion in support for Syria. France signed cooperation agreements on the economy, transport, and infrastructure. But so far, the announced deals have brought little tangible change to most Syrians.
Syrian political economist Karam Shaar estimates that only 5% of the promised agreements have made significant progress. Charles Lister, director of the Middle East Institute’s Syria Initiative, notes that large-scale projects can take years and cannot bring down the price of bread or fuel quickly. At the same time, he says, the lifting of U.S. sanctions has helped spur small-scale investment projects that could create jobs more quickly.
Security remains a key condition for rebuilding
The country’s prospects for recovery also depend on the security situation. Ahmed al-Sharaa said that since he came to power, Israel has carried out nearly 500 strikes in Syria and continues to hold large areas in the south of the country.
Talks between Syria and Israel have been ongoing since August last year. According to the Syrian president, the sides had come close to agreeing on 90% of the terms before Israel withdrew from the negotiations. Charles Lister believes that continued instability could deter foreign investors.
The main challenge for Syria’s authorities is to turn international support and investment pledges into changes people can feel in their daily lives: more affordable goods, jobs, and improved well-being.