Armed factions backed by the transitional government in Damascus and the Turkish state attacked the town of Deir Hafer, located west of the Euphrates, on 18 January 2026 during the announced withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the area. These attacks, launched under the command and with the technical support of the Turkish state, quickly spread to the regions of Tabqa, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hesekê. On 20 January, Kobanê was placed under siege by groups backed by the transitional government in Damascus and the Turkish state. Now, on the 21st day of the siege, the humanitarian crisis in the city is deepening with each passing day.
The city of Kobanê, together with its 360 villages, five towns, and two districts, has a population of approximately 600,000. The majority of the local population earns its livelihood through agriculture, water well drilling, and livestock farming. While Kobanê has a wide rural area, its urban center is relatively small, and its infrastructure is designed to support only a limited population. However, due to the siege imposed by the Turkish state–backed transitional government in Damascus, now on its 21st day, thousands of villagers have been forced to flee the attacks and take refuge in the city center. In addition, large numbers of people have arrived in Kobanê from refugee camps in Tabqa, Raqqa, Ain Issa, and Girê Sipî (Tal Abyad). Most of the IDPs are trying to survive in schools, empty shops, while some are living in their own vehicles. Severe difficulties are being experienced, particularly in heating, shelter, and basic living needs.
Fuel and medicine are at critical levels in hospitals
According to information provided by Ahmet Mahmut, Co-Chair of the Euphrates Canton Health Council, there are six hospitals in Kobanê—four public and two private—all operating 24 hours a day. Mahmut emphasized that hospitals must function with uninterrupted electricity, noting that each public hospital has three generators, while each private hospital has two. These generators consume nearly one ton of diesel per day, and the city’s 12 ambulances require around 10 tons of diesel per month. Mahmut stressed that the current diesel reserves are sufficient for only 10 more days.
According to Mahmut, hundreds of patients are admitted to hospitals every day. With the arrival of more IDPs, mainly from Raqqa and surrounding areas, the hospitals are completely full and unable to accept new patients. He said that winter conditions have led to an increase in infectious diseases and that stocks of medications for colds have been exhausted. In addition, oxygen supplies have run out, and asthma medications, laboratory reagents required for medical tests, anesthetic drugs used in surgeries, as well as medicines needed by patients with high blood pressure and diabetes, have been completely depleted and are now an urgent necessity.
Education halted, schools allocated to IDPs
There are a total of 17 primary, middle, and high schools, as well as one university, in Kobanê. Around 72,000 students receive education in these schools each year, while 1,500 students are enrolled at the University of Kobanê. Due to attacks by HTS militias backed by the Turkish state and the ongoing siege of the city, thousands of students are unable to continue their education. A number of schools have been allocated as shelter for refugees who have been displaced by the attacks.
Bakeries and broad production at risk
There are two public bakeries in Kobanê city center and three bakeries in the villages. These bakeries are required to produce bread every day for more than 500,000 people. The bakeries, which operate on diesel fuel, have a monthly diesel requirement of up to 150,000 liters. The institution responsible for the bakeries stated that current diesel stocks are sufficient for only 10 days, after which the bakeries will no longer be able to provide services.
No electricity for 21 days
Welîd Cuma, Co-Chair of the Kobanê Energy Council, stated that electricity has been completely cut off in Kobanê since 18 January. Electricity was initially cut in Kobanê and Sirînê, then temporarily restored three days later, but was cut off again after half an hour. Kobanê city center, along with 360 villages, has been without electricity for 21 days.
Cuma stated that the power outage directly affects hospitals, bakeries, and water supply. Many patients who use oxygen devices in their homes are also facing a life-threatening situation.
He explained that the electricity line supplying Kobanê passes through Sirînê and was cut by armed factions who thus prevented electricity from reaching the city. The water line has been cut as well. When electricity was available, water used to be pumped from the Euphrates River and delivered to the city.
Water, food and baby formula crisis
Due to the ongoing siege and power outages, Kobanê is experiencing a severe water crisis. Of the 15 water stations in the city, 14 are completely out of service because of the power outage. Although residents are trying to meet their water needs from wells, electricity is also required to pump water from these wells. For this reason, generators are being used with very limited capacity.
Meanwhile, milk and baby formula for infants are almost completely depleted, posing a life-threatening risk, especially for newborn babies. Although limited amounts of food are being supplied through alternative means, these efforts are only able to meet the needs of a small portion of the population.
As the siege of Kobanê continues, there is growing concern that the crises in healthcare, water, electricity, and food will deepen even further.
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