Syria Monthly Report

Several developments in May point to a rising discontent among members of the Arab League with President Bashar al-Assad. The League postponed its Liaison Committee meeting with the Syrian government, denied Assad speaking time at the 33rd Arab League Summit in Bahrain, and refused him the ceremonial honors offered to other leaders attending the summit. This discontent likely stems from Assad’s failure to address persistent issues of concern for Syria’s neighbors, and continuing disregard for the Arab League’s role.

An acute fuel crisis hit south and central Syria this month after Iran halted its deliveries of oil for a period of two months. As a result, residents of government-held areas have experienced increased rationing of electricity and fuel, public transport disruptions, and a surge in market prices. The ruling Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party held direct leadership elections for the first time in its history. Announced in December 2023, the electoral process was finalized in May, seeing the appointment of a new central leadership. Since a large number of senior party members remain in their positions, however, the elections are unlikely to bring about meaningful change.

In northeast Syria, farmers protested the new wheat purchasing price set by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which they say barely covers the cost of production. As their reasons for the low price, AANES officials cite budgetary constraints, the Turkish bombardment, and a fall in global wheat prices. The AANES also increased fuel and bread prices despite deteriorating economic conditions and stagnating salaries.

In northwest Syria, students at universities and colleges across Syrian Salvation Government (SSG)-held areas held an open strike in protest against the appointment of graduates of Syrian government universities to positions with the SSG. After a meeting with the Prime Minister of the SSG, an expanded committee was formed to follow up on the strikers’ demands. Despite broad dissatisfaction with the SSG’s handling of the issue, the strikers called off their demonstrations, likely due to wider tensions surrounding the ongoing protests against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.