The cold weather that began to prevail in southern Syria overnight was only a sign of the approaching winter and a reminder of new suffering which will face residents of rural areas between Damascus and the Jordanian border.
Most families of these impoverished areas worry that they cannot afford to buy diesel on the black market, where the product is being sold for double the price set by Syrian authorities.
Despite the ailing economic situation facing families in the south, many fuel traders are stockpiling large quantities of diesel oil for storage so they could sell them during the winter at a higher rate.
A south Syria resident says that although authorities had subsidized a share of burning diesel to families, set at 600 liters per family, many still fear a harsh winter.
The price of hydrocarbons is doubled in the free market, where one liter of diesel is currently sold for 500 Syrian pounds.
This is considered a high rate that cannot be afforded by low-income families who also need to worry about purchasing other life necessities.
Alaa, a resident of rural Daraa, believes that taking high prices into consideration, residents will resort to burning wood for home heating. It is estimated that each family needs three metric tons of wood to keep warm throughout winter.
Many have resorted to chopping down trees and collecting forest wood.
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