The response from the population—which suffers from resource shortages and economic hardships in meeting tax obligations and paying for privatized services—was quickly felt. The protests began in eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor, Hasakah, Raqqa), driven in part by tribal groups resentful of not controlling the region’s energy resources. However, in the hours that followed, the demonstrations spread throughout the country (Anadan, Azaz, Idlib, Maarat al-Numan, Khan Shaykhun, Damascus, Hama), with protesters demanding the resignation of the energy minister and erecting barricades and burning tires.