Following an aggression on the Kurdish-dominated neighrborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo on January 6, HTS and affiliated militias launched attacks against the regions of North and East Syria. As a result of the genocidal campaign, people displaced from the Tabqa, Raqqa andAin Issa sought shelter in the city of Kobanê.
For the past 15 days, armed factions affiliated with HTS have imposed a severe blockade on Kobanê, putting the lives of 600,000 residents at risk. Access to medicines is particularly restricted, and people with chronic illnesses are unable to go out and continue their treatments. Electricity has been cut, and fuel and food supplies cannot be obtained.
The ongoing siege aims to break the will of the Kurdish people. From the very first day, the residents of Kobanê have taken responsibility for the IDPs while also defending their villages and city. The advance of the militias has not been allowed.
According to the agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the transitional government on January 30, which came into effect yesterday, the siege on Kobanê was supposed to be lifted. Despite meetings between the Kobanê Internal Security Forces and the delegation of the transitional government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the blockade continues.
Meanwhile, the occupying Turkish state is preventing humanitarian aid prepared by the people of Northern Kurdistan from reaching Kobanê.
Despite the harsh conditions, the resistance of the people of Kobanê continues.