٠٠:٠٤:٠٥Damascus residents struggled with a surge in prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr amid a deteriorating economic situation as footage filmed on Tuesday shows.
Residents could be seen roaming around the capital's historic markets, while shops are packed with citizens and the streets are jammed with vehicles, the high cost of goods is forcing many people to buy only what's necessary.
Abu Omar, a shop owner in the Bzourieh market in Damascus, mentioned that the market's movement and sales are lower this year than the last one.
"Income is low, and everything is expensive, not just for us (in Syria), but globally. But we differ from the world in that our affairs are going well, thanks to God. We accept the little," he said.
"Last year's Eid was better. Everything was cheaper, and prices varied from day to day," Um Wael, a Syrian woman from the outskirts of Damascus added.
The United Nations has earlier stated that poverty and unemployment are widespread within Syria, with over 90 percent of the population in Syria living below the poverty line.
The country is currently experiencing an economic crisis, with high inflation, food insecurity and rising fuel prices, following 13 years of devastating conflict. The government has blamed the impact of Western sanctions, with the US imposing fresh restrictions in June. Before the war, the exchange rate was 1 USD = 47 Syrian pounds, but now it takes around 14,000 Syrian pounds to get 1 USD.
Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday in Islam marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is traditionally celebrated with mosque prayers, family meals and shopping for new clothes, gifts and sweet treats. The feast is characterised by an abundance of food after the daytime fasting of the month of Ramadan.
'Everything was cheaper' - Damascus residents struggle with high prices amid deteriorating economic situation ahead of Eid al-Fitr
Damascus residents struggled with a surge in prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr amid a deteriorating economic situation as footage filmed on Tuesday shows.
Residents could be seen roaming around the capital's historic markets, while shops are packed with citizens and the streets are jammed with vehicles, the high cost of goods is forcing many people to buy only what's necessary.
Abu Omar, a shop owner in the Bzourieh market in Damascus, mentioned that the market's movement and sales are lower this year than the last one.
"Income is low, and everything is expensive, not just for us (in Syria), but globally. But we differ from the world in that our affairs are going well, thanks to God. We accept the little," he said.
"Last year's Eid was better. Everything was cheaper, and prices varied from day to day," Um Wael, a Syrian woman from the outskirts of Damascus added.
The United Nations has earlier stated that poverty and unemployment are widespread within Syria, with over 90 percent of the population in Syria living below the poverty line.
The country is currently experiencing an economic crisis, with high inflation, food insecurity and rising fuel prices, following 13 years of devastating conflict. The government has blamed the impact of Western sanctions, with the US imposing fresh restrictions in June. Before the war, the exchange rate was 1 USD = 47 Syrian pounds, but now it takes around 14,000 Syrian pounds to get 1 USD.
Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday in Islam marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is traditionally celebrated with mosque prayers, family meals and shopping for new clothes, gifts and sweet treats. The feast is characterised by an abundance of food after the daytime fasting of the month of Ramadan.
Damascus residents struggled with a surge in prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr amid a deteriorating economic situation as footage filmed on Tuesday shows.
Residents could be seen roaming around the capital's historic markets, while shops are packed with citizens and the streets are jammed with vehicles, the high cost of goods is forcing many people to buy only what's necessary.
Abu Omar, a shop owner in the Bzourieh market in Damascus, mentioned that the market's movement and sales are lower this year than the last one.
"Income is low, and everything is expensive, not just for us (in Syria), but globally. But we differ from the world in that our affairs are going well, thanks to God. We accept the little," he said.
"Last year's Eid was better. Everything was cheaper, and prices varied from day to day," Um Wael, a Syrian woman from the outskirts of Damascus added.
The United Nations has earlier stated that poverty and unemployment are widespread within Syria, with over 90 percent of the population in Syria living below the poverty line.
The country is currently experiencing an economic crisis, with high inflation, food insecurity and rising fuel prices, following 13 years of devastating conflict. The government has blamed the impact of Western sanctions, with the US imposing fresh restrictions in June. Before the war, the exchange rate was 1 USD = 47 Syrian pounds, but now it takes around 14,000 Syrian pounds to get 1 USD.
Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday in Islam marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is traditionally celebrated with mosque prayers, family meals and shopping for new clothes, gifts and sweet treats. The feast is characterised by an abundance of food after the daytime fasting of the month of Ramadan.