Middle East·Syria
Bread up tenfold: two years after Assad, Syrians say they're poorer than ever
DAMASCUS —
Depth
Dig five layers into this story — from what happened to the full picture.
L1What happened
Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads over a fuel increase; one told Sharaa, "this will [make] things explode." The rise was revoked days later amid calls for more protests.
L2Who’s affected
Pensioner Marwan Bashour lives on about $90 a month, the public-sector minimum wage, and sells household items. Nabil al-Remhein, 63: "We're now having only one meal a day." A young mother said her family can afford a proper meal every two days.
L3Why it’s quiet
Analysis · OVERLOOKED Syria fell out of the headlines once Assad fell; the U.S.-Iran war and Israel's election dominate regional coverage.
L4Deeper impact
Haid Haid (Chatham House) says a “significant portion of the population” is worse off than before Assad’s fall and that part of the crisis is of the government’s own making. Economist Samir Aita: “It’s unsustainable. If they don’t change, I fear chaos.” Aid organisations have cut services because of funding cuts, and the U.S.-Iran war has hit fuel prices. A spokesman for the economy ministry said no one was available for an interview.
L5Full context
Sanctions have been lifted and the U.S. removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list. The war killed half a million people and displaced half the population. The World Bank estimates reconstruction at $216bn.
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Original reporting
This is an OVERLOOKED summary of the reporting above. Facts and figures come from the linked sources. Everything here is a fact unless it is labelled otherwise. Support this work.
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