IDLIB, Syria — The prices of foodstuffs in areas run by the Syrian Salvation Government (affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib remained unchanged while the value of the Turkish lira strengthened against the US dollar. In these areas, the Turkish lira has been in circulation for about six months.

The Turkish lira’s rise in the past weeks rekindled the hope of citizens in Idlib of seeing the prices of basic goods drop proportionately. At one point, the lira had fallen to more than 8 to the dollar. But the Turkish lira recently has bounced back, strengthening at one point to 6.9 against the dollar. 

However, in recent days, the Turkish lira has weakened again, approaching 7.25 to the dollar Feb. 23 (it was around 7.15 Feb. 24). This slight drop led to an increase in the prices of certain goods in areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.

Indeed, it has become evident to citizens that, in general, whenever the Turkish lira drops, prices of goods increase, but that when the Turkish lira rises, the prices of goods remain unchanged.