Unexpected Political Shift in Syria
By the end of 2024, even many opposition groups did not anticipate that they would be able to capture Syria’s capital, Damascus. This unexpected political shift is seen by many observers as a ‘black swan’ event, marking a significant turn in Syria’s ongoing conflict.
Over the past year, Syria’s economy has worsened, political and diplomatic breakthroughs have proven elusive, and the country has endured multiple rounds of conflicts. Despite the apparent calm in Damascus at the year’s end, underlying tensions persist.
Economic Turmoil Amid Ongoing Conflicts
In December 2023, the Syrian People’s Assembly approved the national budget for 2024, slashing the government’s budget from $5.52 billion the previous year to $3.1 billion. This sharp reduction reflects the severe economic difficulties faced by the country.
Agriculture and livestock, crucial sectors of Syria’s economy, are among the hardest hit in 2024. Years of war have left much of Syria’s agricultural infrastructure unusable. Combined with drought, water shortages, rising fuel costs, and reduced government subsidies, the output of food crops and livestock has dramatically declined this year.
According to the UN and World Food Program, 3 million people in Syria now face severe food insecurity, with 12.4 million at risk of falling into food insecurity.
Many in Damascus cannot afford basic living expenses. Prices for everyday essentials have risen by 80 percent compared to 2023, while the Syrian pound has continued to devalue. With the government’s minimum wage barely covering a fifth of a family’s basic food needs, some are forced to eat just one meal a day.
Reference(s):
Middle East Insights | The 'Black Swan' political shift in Syria
cgtn.com
