Kobani between siege and integration discussions

As part of the implementation of the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government, an official meeting was held on February 1st between the General Command of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and the commander of the Internal Security Forces in Aleppo Governorate, Muhammad Abdul Ghani, during an official visit to the city of Kobani. During the meeting, the process of field coordination with the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) already present in the area was initiated.

On February 2nd, following a visit by a delegation from the Syrian Interim Government to Kobani and their meeting with the Internal Security Forces, the two sides held a meeting in the town of Sheikhlar (al-Shuyukh), which is part of the city. At this meeting, an agreement was reached on demarcating the boundaries between the deployment areas. According to the agreement, the Internal Security Forces in Sheikhlar, along with the Syrian Interim Government forces, will jointly manage a security checkpoint.

On February 4th, tribal leaders from the villages of Qubay and Ja'dah, along with several prominent figures from Arab and Kurdish clans in Kobani, met with representatives of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), forces affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government, representatives of the Autonomous Administration of the Euphrates Canton, and the Deputy Governor of Aleppo, Ali Hanawi.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the mechanism for implementing the agreement and ways to facilitate the return of residents to their villages, particularly those from the town of Shaykhlar). As a first step, it was agreed to establish eight joint security checkpoints between the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and the Syrian Interim Government forces, in addition to a main checkpoint extending from the Jarabulus Bridge to the villages of Jaqal Wiran and Qasimiyah in the town of Shaykhlar.

According to the Internal Security Forces, discussions are scheduled to continue in the coming days regarding the establishment of additional joint checkpoints between the Syrian Interim Government forces and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) in the areas of Jalabiyah, Sirrin, and Qaraquzaq.

These meetings come at a time when discussions are still ongoing between the administrators of Kobani and Aleppo, within the framework of the January 30th agreement concerning the integration process.

Concurrently with the integration discussions, the siege imposed on Kobani for the past 16 days continues, and the city's residents are suffering from a near-total lack of food and medical supplies. In addition, there is a complete power outage, which has negatively impacted the city's hospitals.

In a related development, Turkish authorities prevented 25 aid trucks from entering the city through the Mashrishdipnar border crossing, and are currently preventing the entry of another 20 trucks located in the Cizre region of Northern Kurdistan.

Furthermore, growing fears prevail among residents of some Kobani villages, amid reports of threats, looting, and theft in several areas, including the village of Kharab Ashk and its surrounding villages.

Sh-S

ANHA