PNN – Syrian sources report ongoing protests across various regions of Syria, alongside a rise in suicide rates driven by psychological, social, and economic pressures.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; Al-Mayadeen reported widespread protests in the city of Qamishli against the Syrian transitional government’s decision to raise fuel prices. Protesters are demanding improvements to their living conditions.
Protests also in Deir ez-Zor
Syrian sources stated that several areas in Deir ez-Zor have witnessed protests and demonstrations sparked by delays in the payment of wages and benefits to workers across various sectors; this unrest has been fueled by growing dissatisfaction and coincides with the residents’ difficult economic and living conditions.
In this regard, resident physicians affiliated with the Deir ez-Zor Health Directorate have not received their salaries for the months of June, July, and August. The June salary was paid at half the usual amount and without the increase stipulated in the recent decree. This has sparked outrage among the physicians, who are demanding full payment of their wages and adherence to the agreed-upon increases.
According to information received by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, delays in salary payments—compounded by rising living costs and the prices of basic necessities, as well as a lack of transparency regarding the timing of outstanding payments—are placing an increased burden on resident physicians. This situation is exacerbating anxiety and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers.
In the town of Dhiban, located in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, local workers employed at the Al-Omar oil field blocked the road leading to the facility to protest the non-payment of their wages for nearly eight months. No explanation has been provided regarding the status of their outstanding claims or their employment situation.
The road blockade disrupted access to the field—a move intended to pressure officials into addressing the workers’ demands. They are calling for the payment of overdue wages and clarification of their employment status, particularly as the ongoing delays are directly affecting the living conditions of both the workers and their families.
These actions come amidst a rise in complaints regarding outstanding wages and financial entitlements in Deir ez-Zor, compounded by soaring living costs and declining purchasing power. This situation is driving workers to organize protests to demand their financial dues, ensure regular salary payments, and prevent prolonged non-payment.
No Security in Daraa Either
Meanwhile, in Daraa province, doctors, nurses, and staff at the Daraa National Hospital staged a sit-in inside the facility this Tuesday morning, marking the start of a partial strike. They are protesting against what they describe as repeated physical and psychological assaults on medical personnel—occurrences exacerbated by the lack of adequate protective measures and the failure to take deterrent action against the perpetrators.
According to reports, the protesters emphasized that hospitals must remain places for treatment and life-saving care—free from chaos, displays of power, attempts to exert influence, or the settling of personal scores.
They stressed that ongoing attacks threaten the safety of both staff and patients. Medical and nursing personnel confirmed that the strike does not extend to emergency or urgent cases. They stated that this action is essential to protect staff and patients and to uphold the sanctity of healthcare institutions, and is not intended to disrupt medical services or harm patients.
The protesters also announced that the strike would continue until effective and comprehensive protection is provided for medical and nursing staff and patients, and a safe, organized work environment is guaranteed—enabling them to carry out their humanitarian and professional duties.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported yesterday that a number of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff had announced their intention to halt non-emergency services starting today, Tuesday, in protest against repeated attacks targeting them.
This intensification comes amidst rising demand to bolster security at healthcare facilities and protect medical personnel, ensure the continuity of care, and safeguard the safety of patients and staff—all at a time when these facilities are grappling with mounting challenges and shortages of resources and personnel.
Rising Suicide Rates in Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has stated that the recurring suicides across several regions of Syria serve as an alarming indicator of the immense psychological, social, and economic pressures facing the population—particularly children and young people. These pressures arise from dire living conditions and dwindling psychosocial support, compounded by a lack of adequate solutions to address these incidents and prevent their recurrence.
Since the beginning of September, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has recorded four cases of suicide across various areas of northern and eastern Syria. These recurring incidents have raised concerns regarding the spread of this phenomenon and the urgent need to address it.
The cases documented by the Observatory are distributed across the countrysides of Kobani, Manbij, and eastern Raqqa, as well as the city of Aleppo; this reflects the geographical scope of these incidents and indicates that they are not confined to any specific area.