Fuel vendors thrive in Damascus after Assad’s fall

Fuel vendors in Damascus are thriving in the post-Assad era, providing much-needed gasoline and diesel to Syrians after years of repression under the former regime. The shift has brought newfound freedom and relief from years of repression.

Fuel vendors in Damascus are thriving in the post-Assad era, offering much-needed gasoline and diesel to Syrians, a stark contrast to the fuel shortages and state repression under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Under Assad, street vendors like Omar Deeb faced constant crackdowns, with security forces, customs authorities, and even air force intelligence raiding their stalls, confiscating goods, and leaving them unable to work. "We used to set up our stalls, but they would come and take our goods. We couldn't work freely, and some people betrayed us by reporting us," Deeb recalls.

Fuel shortages were rampant, with citizens often waiting for state-issued messages to buy fuel. Khalid Abdullah al-Sedo, another vendor, remembers the harsh conditions under the regime: "You used to dream of getting into a gas station with a motorbike, but they would kick you out, telling you motorcycles weren't allowed. You had to beg just to fill up a liter, and sometimes they wouldn’t even give you that."

Since Assad’s fall, vendors have been able to operate without fear, easing fuel access for the public. Despite ongoing international sanctions that limit Syria’s ability to import essential goods, there is cautious optimism for future trade deals. For now, fuel sellers in Damascus continue to provide a vital service to locals, operating openly in a newly liberated environment.

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