ALEPPO, Syria — The Kurdish-run Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria recently renounced its May 17 decision to increase fuel prices. The cancellation came after protests against the price hikes erupted in the area under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A number of people were killed in clashes between protesters and the SDF-affiliated internal security forces, known as Asayish, prompting the Autonomous Administration to hold an emergency meeting May 19 during which it retracted its earlier decision to raise fuel prices. It continued that another decision setting new fuel prices would be discussed. 

“The cancellation of the decision to raise fuel prices came in response to popular demands in the areas run by the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria,” Hamid al-Mahbash, co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration, was quoted as saying by the North-Press Agency close to the SDF.

Mahbash noted, “The administration reconsidered the decision and decided to reinstate the previous prices until a new price list is reached that suits the economic situation of the population.” 

The price rise had triggered a strike and protests. On May 18, angry protesters blocked a number of roads in the areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration.