Syria's fuel price hike protests have persisted from Sunday into the heart of this week, and increasingly they are becoming full on anti-Sharaa regime demonstrations. Of course Sharaa - whose al Qaeda/ISIS name is Jolani - was never elected in the first place.
Monday into Tuesday the protests have spread across multiple cities and governates, including Raqqa in the east and Aleppo in the north.
Demonstrators have been burning tires, blocking highways, and confronting security forces after Damascus announced sudden massive increase in fuel prices.
A RESULT OF NEOLIBERAL SHOCK THERAPY in wake of CIA-ORCHESTRATED REGIME CHANGE
Sunday saw authorities raise diesel prices by up to 40% and petrol prices by 28%, after not just years but decades of government regulated price controls and subsidies.
Already the country was smashed by proxy war and sweeping US-led sanctions, not to mention a decade-long US troop occupation of Syria's oil and gas fields in the northeast, which strangled the population (as part of efforts to overthrow secular Ba'ath leader Bashar al-Assad).
The West and Gulf powers then gave its backing to Jolani as self-declared president once Assad was ousted in December 2024. He had literally been a member of ISIS and was a founder of Syrian al-Qaeda (Nusra Front, later HTS). Washington, London, Riyadh, and Paris have embraced him - after they and their intelligence services basically put him in power.
Large protests are erupting in Syria, with many people calling for the step down of the Al Qaeda regime leader, Jolani
This video shows protests in Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/39rKf2ictq
— Brian’s Breaking News and Intel (@intelFromBrian) September 14, 2026
When last month Washington finally lifted most sanctions on Damascus, the population hoped this might translate into the common people finally catching a break.
But alas, outrage is spilling into the streets over Jolani regime incompetence.
Aside from the ISIS pedigree of the US-backed government in Damascus, one Syrian commenter has outlined examples of Jolani/Sharaa regime incompetence:
1) We have no Prime Minister - Al Sharaa is the de facto PM
2) There is no unified 3-5-10 yr strategy that drives how every ministry works.
3) This means each ministry working on its own. Yes ministers are checking with the presidency on the priorities and deliverables, but they are working with or cross referencing with the wider cabinet.
4) I dont think the ministers meet that often with the president (acting PM).
5) These alignment mtgs are integral. Syria must have a national strategy, with clear cut objectives & plans for every ministry, defining how they all work towards a common goal.
Tonight's Syria fuel hike protests are larger and angrier than yesterday's
Currently protests and road blocks are ongoing in several Syrian governorates
If jolani regime fails to appease them by Thursday, then expect major escalation on Friday (after Friday prayers) pic.twitter.com/iQ4mVfijdf
— The'Nimr'Tiger (@Souria4Syrians) September 14, 2026
Some reports say the people are even calling for the return of Assad, echoed in popular street chants heard in some of the protests.
Other pundits have alleged violent tactics by security groups, including firing off live rounds to disperse the protests.
Slogans calling for Assad's return spark alarm in Syria —SOHR
Largest protests since Al-Sharaa took power spread, with roads blocked for days after fuel prices raised
‘Even with the world sanctioning Assad, prices never reached this level’ — protester confronts security forces pic.twitter.com/hrdIuItVFC
— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) September 14, 2026
From Sunday:
DropSite: Residents blocking the Damascus–Aleppo international highway near Maarrat al-Nu’man, south of Idlib, on Sunday, as protests spread following government increases in fuel prices.
🇸🇾⛽️ Protests erupt across Syria over fuel price hikes and rising cost of living
Footage circulating online shows residents blocking the Damascus–Aleppo international highway near Maarrat al-Nu’man, south of Idlib, on Sunday, as protests spread following government increases in… pic.twitter.com/mVwMUhu5qx
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) September 14, 2026
Protests in the east, nearly formerly US-occupied oil fields...
انتفا//ضة غضب في ريف دير الزور.. الأهالي يها//جمون موكب مسؤولي حكومة الجولاني قرب حقل العمر.#سوريا#V_News#وكالة_فيديو_الإخبارية pic.twitter.com/bReSVKjKP2
— V News (@VAgencyia) September 15, 2026
Where has President Sharaa been this week? He's getting the red carpet treatment in Dubai for the "Arab Media Summit 2026".
The following is deeply ironic as various places in Syria burn amid enraged demonstrations:
Al-Sharaa, who spoke at the summit’s “Syria of the Future” event, also met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai’s crown prince, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai’s second deputy ruler, who is also the chairman of the Dubai Media Council, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Over a decade ago, Jolani's al-Nusra Front was introduced to Syria and on the world stage via its squadrons of suicide bombers...
In 2013, Jolani sent 2 suicide bombers belonging to his organisation the Nusra front
They destroyed Al Kindi hospital
Al Kindi hospital was one of the best & modern hospitals in Syria. It provided free treatment to the public
Today the hospital is gone, & Jolani is "president" pic.twitter.com/hh4bJrsGHf
— The'Nimr'Tiger (@Souria4Syrians) September 15, 2026
Should the protests and unrest persist into Friday, which is the Islamic day of prayer and the start of the weekend in the Middle East, the situation could explode. It doesn't seem like Jolani has any answers or strategy at this point. Perhaps he'll hang out in Dubai and with his royal Gulf backers a little longer.