Humanitarian siege pushes Kobane toward 'catastrophe' despite agreement: Politician warns

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Nearly two weeks after an internationally brokered agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish forces in northeast Syria (Rojava), the Kurdish city of Kobane remains under a crippling humanitarian siege, with a local politician warning that the situation is heading toward “a catastrophe” as residents face severe shortages of food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies.

Adnan Bozan, head of the Kurdish National Council’s (ENKS/KNC) office in Kobane, told Rudaw that while hostilities have ceased between the Syrian interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the agreement has yet to bring tangible relief to residents.

“The situation is heading toward a catastrophe day by day. It has been more than 10 days since the agreement between the SDF and the Damascus government was signed... but in Kobane, even after 10 days, only the ceasefire has been put into effect,” he said, adding that while shelling has stopped, the siege remains in place.

ENKS is the main opposition umbrella group in Rojava.

In mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups launched a large-scale offensive to push back Rojava’s de facto military force, the SDF, from areas in northern and northeastern Syria, including Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka provinces.

In late January, the SDF and Damascus announced they had reached an internationally brokered agreement to end hostilities and integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions under state control.

Despite the agreement, the Kurdish city of Kobane remains under a strict blockade that has been ongoing for over three weeks.

“Until now, the siege on Kobane continues and life there is difficult," Bozan said, adding that the situation in Kobane is dire, as daily necessities like food, water, electricity, fuel, and internet are no longer available.

“It is a miserable life - a life without electricity, without water, without internet, and without fuel. Previously, there were some supplies in the warehouses, but now those are also running out,” he said. “The hardships are increasing day by day... catastrophes are mounting, and illnesses among children are rising.”

He also warned of a growing medical crisis, particularly “for those who need daily medication, medicine is increasingly running out in pharmacies. This situation requires an urgent solution,” Bozan said.

At least six children passed away last month, with the Kurdish Red Crescent in Rojava, known in Kurdish as Heyva Sor a Kurd, attributing their deaths due to limited medical services.

According to Bozan, displacement from surrounding villages and towns has forced families into schools and mosques, bringing education to “a complete standstill.”

Bozan urged the parties behind the agreement to "work as quickly as possible to implement it in order to save Kobane from this humanitarian disaster.”

“In the past two days, some food entered the villages around Kobane through smuggling, but the amount was small and was quickly exhausted,” he said.

Bozan called on Damascus and international actors to intervene immediately. “I call on the Syrian transitional government to at least allow the passage of commercial and humanitarian convoys into the city,” he said, adding, “Humanitarian organizations must put pressure on the government.”

Asked by Rudaw about the situation in Kobane last week, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said Wednesday, “We understand the shortages are still going on. I think people are trying to work through all of their needs.”

He added, “We're trying to deliver as much as we can, and we hope that, obviously, people will benefit from all basic services as quickly as possible.”