Siege on Kobani continues for 15 days as humanitarian conditions deteriorate

Since January 20, Kobani has been under an intense blockade enforced by factions linked to the Syrian Interim Government, leading to a steady deterioration of humanitarian conditions. For fifteen consecutive days, residents have suffered acute shortages of essential supplies, alongside a collapse in health and living conditions.

The city is witnessing an almost complete absence of medicines, particularly those required for chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. Cancer patients have been deprived of continued treatment, as they are forced to seek medical care outside the city.

The shortage of infant formula has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, while markets remain largely empty of vegetables and basic food items. Power outages have halted vital departments within hospitals, and the depletion of fuel has compounded daily hardships for the city’s population, estimated at around 600,000.

Despite these harsh conditions, the people of Kobani continue to cling to resilience and resistance.

The siege was supposed to be lifted under the agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government on January 30, with implementation scheduled to begin on February 2. However, the blockade remains in place to date, despite meetings held between the Internal Security Forces in Kobani and security forces affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government aimed at implementing the terms of the agreement.

In a related development, the Turkish state has, for the past three days, prevented the entry of aid collected by residents of Northern Kurdistan into Kobani, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis and deepening the suffering of the besieged population. 

A-H 

ANHA