Reportage

Syria: fuel shortages hit the population hard

Audio 01:09

The line of cars extends around a gas station in Qamichli.

© Murielle Paradon/RFI

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Syria is in the midst of an economic crisis.

Inflation is galloping, the currency has collapsed.

The population is also the victim of fuel shortages.

Report in northeastern Syria, under Kurdish administration.

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With our special correspondents in Qamichli,

Murielle Paradon

and

Julien Boileau

The line of cars extends around a gas station in Qamichli.

Drivers take their troubles patiently, like Ahmed, who keeps warm in his van.

He came to get diesel.

"

I've been waiting for my turn for two hours, since 8am I've been here,

" he says.

Before, it was fine but for a month, the situation is bad.

By God, I don't know why, yet we are in an oil country! 

»

► To read also: 

In Syria, record inflation plunges the population into a catastrophic situation

The Turkish bombings in question?

Syria, in conflict for nearly 12 years, is plunged into a serious economic crisis.

But according to Ibrahim, who manages the service station, the shortages of recent weeks are mainly due to the recent Turkish bombardments on northern Syria: “

We didn't have shortages like that before.

It happened because of the bombings of refineries and oil sites.

Yet fuel is vital for civilians.

»

► To read also: 

Abu Rasayn, ghost town in northeastern Syria after the Turkish bombardments

The service station has implemented a ration card system.

Everyone has the right to 50 liters per week.

Insufficient for some, forced to buy on the black market where fuel costs three times more.

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  • Syria

  • Economic crisis