Syrians angered by increased electricity rationing hours in pro-Turkish rebel areas

Syrians in areas controlled by Turkish-backed rebels have been angered by increased electricity rationing hours.

It comes as the price of electricity has risen and amid the failure of the Turkish electricity company supplying the area with power to comply with contracts reached with local councils, The New Arab's Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

The council in the city of Jarablus in northern Syria on Monday announced its rejection of the firm AK Energy's decision to raise the price of a kilowatt of electricity for domestic use from 2.85 to 3.85 Turkish liras.

The council also rejected the continuous power outages that have taken place under the pretext of rationing by the electricity investment company.

On Saturday, Azaz city council filed a lawsuit in Turkish and Syrian courts to terminate a contract with AK Energy after its decision to reduce operating hours there.

Rationing reached three hours in the morning and one hour in the evening in areas including Jarablus, Azaz, and the cities of Al-Bab and Ras Al-Ayn due to a "financial deficit", according to the electricity firm.

Mustafa al-Imam, who was displaced from elsewhere in Syria to Azaz in Aleppo province, said the electricity price increase has increased people's suffering.

This is "especially since we are in the winter season and household expenses are increasing little by little and there is very little work during these months", he said.