RAMA HALAF

Damascus- The 61-year-old Baathist regime collapsed when forces led by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered Damascus on December 8, 2024, deepening the economic crisis suffered by the Syrian people. Since a transitional government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was formed in the country, the economic crisis in the country has been deteriorating.

More than a decade of conflict compounded by external shocks, sanctions and political instability have further worsened Syria's dire economic situation. The manufacturing sector remains in a deep contraction and the number of people in extreme poverty increases in the country, leaving Syrian people helpless.

‘We have borrowed money to meet our basic needs’

“Since the fall of the regime, we have not been paid,” said Suzan Ahmed, a government official in Damascus. “Therefore, we have borrowed money from many people to meet our basic needs. Although there is no rise in the dollar, business people continue to raise prices without any logical justification.”

Suzan Ahmed demanded their salaries to be paid “as soon as possible. Even if our salaries will be paid, they will be insufficient to meet even our basic needs. The prices of goods must be reduced.”

Effects of rising prices on daily life

Sidra Dakdak, a resident of Damascus, also complained about the rising prices. “Although there is no rise in the dollar, the prices of goods keep increasing. As working young women, what we earn is not sufficient to meet our basic needs. The prices of goods have increased more especially during Ramadan.”

Women believe that the prices will drop

All women interviewed by NuJINHA demanded immediate payment of their wages and a decline in prices. Despite everything, women wait for a step to be taken by the government and believe that the prices will drop.