Reports | 25 05 2020
Al-Suwayda province is suffering from a severe fuel crisis, after the the price of a liter of gasoline reached 140 Syrian pounds, added to the lack of availability, leading to endless congestions and lines of cars snaking before gas stations.
Khalid, a Suwayda taxi driver, is cynical, snickering that the price hike was the the regime government's Eid [Islamic Holiday] gift. He tells Radio Rozana: "We are no longer able to work. The high cost of gasoline and wait for long hours, has transferred the problem of price to the customer as well. This is their Eid gift!"
There were many different speculation as to the reason of the gasoline interruption in the province. There are those who attribute it to the Allied bombing of oil wells; another says it is nothing but a game by the government to raise price; while another accused gas station owners of creating the crisis to increase the sale of free fuel, pushing the price of a liter up to more than 200 Syrian Pounds.
Mustafa believes that everything that happens is due to traders' manipulation. He adds: "I wait more than 12 hours in line for gasoline. When my turn arrives, it is the end of distribution for the day! It is nothing but a game by the government and traders also to increase their prices. When they price rises, gasoline becomes suddenly available."
Playing cards and backgammon became a way to kill time during the lengthy waiting period, to which some have resorted while in queue for gasoline or diesel fuel. It seems that Syrians are still adroitly and skillfully finding ways to live, despite the harshness of this war.