DAMASCUS: Protests have been erupting in Syria's southern province of Sweida for days, fueled by the country's dismal economic position.

Following a recent government decision to partially reduce the subsidy for people deemed not in need of subsidised commodities such as gas, gasoline, and food staples such as rice and sugar, tensions in Sweida have risen.

Eyewitnesses indicated that several of the highways in Sweida were closed off by demonstrators, according to state media reports. Videos of protesters blaming the government for the suffering have been distributed on social media.

Despite the nearly 11-year conflict, Syria's government has continued to provide subsidised food and gasoline, as well as healthcare to its citizens.

However, due to the economic sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States and its Western allies, the authorities were forced to devise a process to decide who was most in need.

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