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.
Türkiye has placed its armed forces on high alert, preparing for a possible operation in Syria against PKK militants. Ankara has urged Syria's new administration to act against the group, while Turkish troops along the border remain ready for potential military action.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, President Miriana Egger, calls for international humanitarian law to be respected in Syria. She made this statement at the end of her three-day visit to the country, during which she toured the cities of Aleppo and Idlib.
Damascus International Airport has resumed international flights . The reopening follows a month-long closure amid political changes and ongoing conflict in Syria.
Syria's new trade minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan warned on January 6 that strict US sanctions are preventing the country from importing essential goods like fuel and wheat, and called for their lifting or suspension to avoid a looming crisis.
Syrian universities reopened after a month-long closure following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, marking a new era of freedom and hope. Students and educators, reflecting on the shift, shared their optimism about rebuilding a united and open Syria.
Türkiye has placed its armed forces on high alert, preparing for a possible operation in Syria against PKK militants. Ankara has urged Syria's new administration to act against the group, while Turkish troops along the border remain ready for potential military action.
Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have reached the Hollywood Hills, forcing over 100,000 evacuations and threatening iconic landmarks like the Dolby Theatre. With strong winds fuelling six major blazes, officials warn of worsening conditions as firefighting efforts are stretched thin.
In a poignant moment of national grief, the Government of Georgia has declared January 9 a day of mourning following the tragic death of five children in a fire in Saberio, reaffirming the country's solidarity with the affected families.
Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the importance of improved coordination between military and civilian services following the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Himalayan foothills, killing at least 100 and shaking Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Tremors reached as far as Kathmandu and Thimphu.
Türkiye has placed its armed forces on high alert, preparing for a possible operation in Syria against PKK militants. Ankara has urged Syria's new administration to act against the group, while Turkish troops along the border remain ready for potential military action.
Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have reached the Hollywood Hills, forcing over 100,000 evacuations and threatening iconic landmarks like the Dolby Theatre. With strong winds fuelling six major blazes, officials warn of worsening conditions as firefighting efforts are stretched thin.
Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.
Greenlandic Finance Minister Erik Jensen firmly rejected any notion of Greenland being sold, as tensions rose over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent comments on taking control of the Arctic island.
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.
Türkiye has placed its armed forces on high alert, preparing for a possible operation in Syria against PKK militants. Ankara has urged Syria's new administration to act against the group, while Turkish troops along the border remain ready for potential military action.
Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have reached the Hollywood Hills, forcing over 100,000 evacuations and threatening iconic landmarks like the Dolby Theatre. With strong winds fuelling six major blazes, officials warn of worsening conditions as firefighting efforts are stretched thin.
In a poignant moment of national grief, the Government of Georgia has declared January 9 a day of mourning following the tragic death of five children in a fire in Saberio, reaffirming the country's solidarity with the affected families.
Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.
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