Deir Ezzor – Obadah al-Sheikh
Residents of eastern rural Deir Ezzor, where the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) is in control, have complained about the sale of household gas at prices above the official rate, along with manipulation by gas distributors regarding pricing and delays in the distribution and delivery of cylinders to residents.
On February 4, the Fuel Directorate issued a circular to all gas distributors, setting the price for a household gas cylinder at seven US dollars, with citizens paying eight dollars to the distributor or the equivalent in Syrian pounds.
The additional US dollar includes transportation fees and leaves a profit margin for the distributor, but some distributors demand 120,000 Syrian pounds, which is equivalent to 13 US dollars.
These violations persist despite the directorate’s promise to hold distributors accountable, refer them to the competent judiciary, revoke their licenses, and confiscate their security deposits in the event of price violations.
In addition to the price increase, the distribution of cylinders is delayed for more than two months, even though the distribution period should be between one month and 40 days. However, according to residents, the lack of oversight has facilitated these violations and manipulations by the distributors.
Complaints about price and distribution process
Hamza al-Harmouz from the village of Hirizah in northern Deir Ezzor stated to Enab Baladi that the gas distributors appointed by the Fuel Committee “manipulate” prices and are late in distributing gas to the residents.
He noted that despite residents submitting several complaints to the Fuel Committee office, their demands remain unaddressed.
Meanwhile, Radwan al-Bashir, a resident of the town of al-Su’wa west of Deir Ezzor, mentioned that he argued with a gas distributor about charging the cylinder at an inflated price without considering the improvement in the value of the Syrian pound.
The situation has not changed despite al-Bashir submitting a complaint to the local council, expressing his frustration that gas distribution relies on personal connections with the distributor while others wait more than two months to receive a gas cylinder.
Electricity is absent, Kerosene is a substitute
A large segment of families relies on gas as a primary source, especially as rural Deir Ezzor suffers from a lack of electricity, making electric heating and cooking appliances ineffective.
Additionally, the price of kerosene, which some families use for cooking, has risen, reaching 8,000 Syrian pounds per liter, with families needing two liters daily.
The price of kerosene has gradually increased since the beginning of this year, which was 4,000 pounds per liter, while the price of a household gas cylinder in the black market ranges between 250,000 and 300,000 Syrian pounds.
Gas is distributed to each registered family following a census conducted by the Fuel Directorate in 2023, which residents consider unfair, as some homes contain more than one family.
The issue of manipulation is not new amongst gas sales distributors, as the Fuel Directorate dismissed all household gas distributors in Deir Ezzor “based on public interest and the good conduct of work,” according to its decision in February 2024.
This dismissal decision came after numerous complaints against distributors, who monopolized price increases and failed to collect gas cylinders, according to the text of the decision.