As the siege of Kobanê continues on its 36th day, armed groups affiliated with the Syrian transitional government and Turkey have closed roads in and around Kobanê, killing civilians in villages and rural areas.
Reports say that armed factions are breaking into the homes of displaced Kurdish families, committing systematic looting and theft targeting their property and belongings.
A large number of people were forced to move to central Kobanê due to escalating attacks in mid-January amid harsh winter conditions.
Following the evacuation of villages, some armed groups reportedly entered residential areas and looted household items and agricultural equipment, as well as solar energy panels, electrical cables, refrigerators, diesel tanks, televisions, living room furniture and agricultural machinery.
According to reports, the looted materials are transported by vehicles and trucks brought from Grê Spî, Serekaniyê and Raqqa, which are under occupation.
Looting incidents are said to be particularly concentrated in villages affiliated with Chalabiya and Sirrin.
Armed groups named Sultan Murad, al-Hamzad, al-Amshad, the 42nd Division and the 72nd Division are reported to be present in the area.
Footage reportedly filmed on 21 February in the Hesen Eli area of Xirab Ishka village, southeast of Kobanê, shows militias breaking into houses and seizing the belongings of the displaced citizens.
The footage shows numerous items being taken from the houses, ranging from air-conditioning units and televisions to sponge furniture sets and solar panels.
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