Suffocating siege on Kobani enters its 20th day, threatens 600,000 civilians' lives 

For nearly twenty days, the Interim Government has been imposing a suffocating siege on the city of Kobani, severely impacting the lives of approximately 600,000 civilians and displaced persons who sought refuge there after fleeing attacks launched by the factions affiliated with the Interim Government on their home areas.

The city's residents are experiencing dire humanitarian conditions, suffering from a severe shortage of medicine, medical supplies, and basic necessities, in addition to a lack of heating fuel, and a complete blackout of electricity and internet services, exacerbating the suffering of the population and crippling the operation of essential services and humanitarian aid.

Despite the agreement signed on January 29 between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Government, which explicitly stipulated the lifting of the siege on Kobani, it remains in place to this day, with no actual implementation of the agreement's provisions.

In this context, the Kobani administration issued a statement on February 7th, explaining that "upon an invitation extended to the Autonomous Administration in Kobani, a delegation of the administration and the city dignitaries traveled to Aleppo on February 5th, where they met with the Deputy Governor of Aleppo and the commander of the Internal Security Forces in the governorate."

The statement added that the meeting addressed several important issues, primarily the practical steps implemented in al-Sheokh district and the necessary measures to be taken in the Jalabiya district to ensure the return of displaced residents to their villages. The meeting also discussed service-related issues, most notably the water, electricity, and internet outages.

The Kobani administration emphasized in its statement that "to this moment, no concrete steps have been taken by the government, particularly regarding the withdrawal of military forces from the Jalabiya district and the lifting of the siege imposed on Kobani city, despite the promises made by the government representatives during the meeting."

The residents and the Kobani administration warn of the continued siege and its serious humanitarian consequences, demanding adherence to the signed agreements, the immediate lifting of the siege, and the provision of basic necessities to the city's residents without preconditions.