Siege on Kobani continues, deepens humanitarian crisis

Factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government continue to impose a siege on the city of Kobani for the twenty-seventh consecutive day, exacerbating the suffering of more than 600,000 civilians and pushing them toward an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis amid shortages of medicines, infant formula, and heating materials, alongside a marked deterioration in basic services.

17 February, 2026 10:59

KOBANI

Since 20 January, factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government have maintained their blockade on Kobani and its countryside, worsening humanitarian, health, and service conditions for over 600,000 residents, as warnings grow of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe.

Residents are facing acute shortages of essential goods as roads remain closed and the entry of food and medical supplies is blocked. The siege has directly impacted the healthcare sector, with hospitals and medical centers now operating at extremely limited capacity due to the loss of many essential medicines, particularly those for chronic and emergency conditions, in addition to dwindling stocks of medical supplies.

Civilians also report an almost complete lack of infant formula, placing hundreds of families before severe health risks threatening the lives of infants, especially amid malnutrition and the absence of suitable alternatives. Health workers warn that the continuation of this situation could lead to rising rates of disease and malnutrition among children and the elderly.

On the services front, the siege has caused a severe shortage of heating materials, coinciding with ongoing cold weather, further compounding civilian suffering, particularly in camps, shelters, and areas with damaged infrastructure. Electricity and water services have also been affected due to fuel shortages and the lack of spare parts, deepening the daily living crisis.

For their part, residents and civil society groups are calling for the urgent opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel, stressing that the continued siege constitutes a flagrant violation of fundamental humanitarian rights.

Kobani, a city that has previously endured the devastations of war and displacement, now faces a new humanitarian challenge threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants, amid international silence over the ongoing developments and the continued restrictions imposed upon it.

A-H

ANHA