Idlib witnessed a dramatic increase in the prices of foodstuffs, commodities and fuels ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, further burdening civilians, especially the displaced. Living conditions in the Syrian opposition-held areas are deteriorating with a lack of job opportunities and decreasing value of wages as well as scarce support from humanitarian organizations.

The prices of many types of vegetables, fruits, meat and basic food items have risen along with fuel.

Khaled Jaber is living in a displacement camp in northern Idlib with his family of six. He told Al-Monitor, “There are no job opportunities. The limited ones available pay a daily wage of 30 Turkish liras [$2], which is only enough for a few kilos of vegetables. I rely on monthly humanitarian aid to provide food for my family, and it is never enough.”

Jaber added, “I cannot buy meat, as the price of a kilo has reached 100 Turkish liras [$6.78]. It was 70 liras [$4.75] before Ramadan. I cannot even buy the beverages we usually have during Ramadan, such as tamarind or licorice drinks. My psychological health is also deteriorating after being away from my home near Saraqib for nearly three years. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its government are to blame for this.”