Amid rising protests linked to services and living conditions in al-Hasakah governorate (northeastern Syria) in recent days, the Syrian government announced that it had begun supplying fuel stations in the governorate with fuel under a plan it said aims to support the agricultural sector and ease the fuel shortage, especially at the peak of the grain harvest season.

Al-Hasakah Deputy Governor and spokesperson for the presidential team tasked with implementing the January 29 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Ahmed al-Hilali, said the Syrian Petroleum Company had begun supplying fuel stations in the governorate with fuel, according to a joint plan prepared in coordination with the Directorate of Agriculture.

Al-Hilali explained that the step comes to address the fuel shortage and secure the needs of the agricultural sector, ensuring the continuation of harvest operations and meeting citizens’ requirements during the current phase.

The announcement came days after al-Hilali confirmed to Enab Baladi that one million liters of subsidized diesel had arrived in the governorate through cooperation between the presidential team and the Syrian Petroleum Company, as part of support for the harvest season and efforts to meet the growing fuel needs.

Fuel Begins Arriving at Some Stations

The government’s announcement coincided with the start of offering quantities of diesel coming from the government refinery in Homs at a number of fuel stations in the cities of al-Hasakah and Qamishli.

According to Enab Baladi’s follow-up and information obtained from sources working in the fuel sector, some stations began selling premium Syrian diesel from Homs at $0.88 per liter, after obtaining the required approvals and requesting additional quantities because of declining locally available allocations and rising demand linked to the harvest season.

Saleh Kashti, owner of the Media fuel station east of Qamishli, told Enab Baladi that the station had begun selling premium Syrian diesel coming from Homs at 88 US cents per liter.

He added that the station is also preparing to receive quantities of premium Syrian gasoline in the coming period, noting that offering fuel coming from inside Syria provides an additional source of fuel amid the current rise in demand.

In al-Hasakah city, Saleh Obaid, a worker at a private fuel station, told Enab Baladi that some stations turned to government-supplied diesel after locally available free-market diesel declined in recent weeks.

He added that demand for fuel rose noticeably with the start of the harvest season, prompting some stations to look for additional sources to meet customers’ needs. He noted that stations are facing growing pressure because of increased agricultural and transport consumption.

Price Gaps as Local Diesel Remains Available

Meanwhile, some stations are still selling local free-market diesel at prices lower than diesel coming from Homs.

Mohammed al-Hassan, a grain truck driver from rural al-Hasakah, told Enab Baladi that he was able to fill up with diesel at a station on the western beltway of Qamishli at 55 cents per liter.

He added that the price difference between local diesel and diesel coming from Homs is pushing many drivers and farmers to search for cheaper quantities, especially as transport and harvest costs rise during the current season.

Fawaz al-Hamad, a passenger bus driver between al-Hasakah and Qamishli, told Enab Baladi that fuel availability is a priority for those working in the transport sector, explaining that any fuel shortage is directly reflected in transport fares and movement between cities and towns.

He added that drivers are monitoring fuel market developments daily amid price differences between stations and varying supply sources.

Farmers Await Impact on Harvest Season

Measures to supply stations with fuel come as al-Hasakah governorate is witnessing the peak of the grain harvest season, as farmers have complained in recent weeks of growing difficulties in securing the fuel needed to operate harvesters, agricultural tractors, and crop transport vehicles.

Farmer Ahmed al-Khalifa, from rural Tell Brak (al-Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria), told Enab Baladi that most of the challenges farmers faced during the current season were linked to fuel costs and securing fuel on time.

He added that any increase in the quantities of diesel available in the market would help facilitate harvest operations and reduce delays in transporting crops to receiving or storage centers.

Fuel provision is seen as one of the main factors in ensuring the success of the agricultural season in al-Hasakah, which is one of Syria’s most prominent wheat and barley-producing governorates.

Response After Service Protests

The announcement that stations would begin receiving fuel comes days after a wave of protests in several areas of al-Hasakah governorate over deteriorating services and rising living costs.

Al-Hilali had confirmed in an earlier statement to Enab Baladi that the demands raised by protesters regarding fuel and basic services were “rightful,” and that government bodies were following them directly.

He explained at the time that the demands of al-Hasakah residents were being conveyed daily to the leadership and relevant ministries, noting that plans existed to address a number of service files that are priorities for residents.

Several areas in rural al-Hasakah witnessed simultaneous protest stands and movements in recent days, including rural al-Hol, al-Shaddadi, Tell Brak, Ghazila, and Umm Hujaira, where protesters demanded improved water, electricity, and fuel services, job opportunities, and better living conditions.

In one of the most prominent actions, dozens of residents from towns and villages in rural al-Hol gathered on the road used by oil tankers and blocked their passage in protest against the continuing water crisis, high fuel prices, and weak health and living services.

Al-Shaddadi city also witnessed protest gatherings demanding improved services and faster action on livelihood-related issues, while protests in Tell Brak focused on basic service problems, unemployment, and the rising cost of daily life.