HTS converts fuel prices to USD in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Watad Petroleum Company run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib city, northwest Syria, posted on social media that it has switched prices for purchasing fuel to USD instead of the Turkish currency.
Such a decision only serves the interests of traders and companies, local sources told North Press.
“Such a decision deepens the suffering of the locals as prices of fuels will change more than once in one single day,” Ala’ Abdullah, a professor at the faculty of Economy in Idlib University said.
“The old purchase system determined the prices for a whole day despite the exchange rate fluctuations,” he added.
But now, the money changers’ union will install computers in every accredited gas station and centers that sell household gas cylinders, thus authorizing owners to adjust fuel prices according to the Turkish lira, Watad Petroleum said.
“The Salvation Government and HTS work together in profit and loss balance and will attempt to benefit as much as possible by exploiting the people already living difficult economic conditions,” other local sources to North Press.
The decision caused contempt amongst the people who said it is a new way to loot the people and to increase the Watad Petroleum’s profits by manipulating fuel prices 24 hours a day.
The fall of the value of the Turkish lira in Idlib caused difficult livelihood conditions for the low income population.
On November 15, dozens of people from Idlib, took to the streets protesting an unprecedented inflation and soar of fuel prices.