Kobani Under Siege: Urgent Humanitarian Crisis Emerges

ANHA

Scene from Koani.

Since 20 January, the Kurdish majority city of Kobani in West Kurdistan (Rojava), northeastern Syria, has been under a complete siege imposed by factions affiliated with the interim government, resulting in severe shortages of food, medicine, and baby formula, as well as significant disruptions to electricity and water services. Humanitarian agencies and residents are urgently calling for the opening of corridors to prevent a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

The closure of roads leading into Kobani has prevented the delivery of essential supplies, severely affecting the health sector. Hospitals are operating at minimal capacity due to critical shortages of medicines, particularly for chronic illnesses and emergency cases, while the overall supply of medical equipment has sharply declined.

More than 600,000 civilians in the city and surrounding areas are experiencing a serious deterioration in living conditions. The lack of baby formula poses an immediate threat to hundreds of infants, contributing to malnutrition and heightened risk of disease in the absence of adequate alternatives.

The situation is further compounded by a severe shortage of heating fuel, which has particularly affected residents living in camps and temporary shelters. Interruptions to electricity and water services, caused by fuel and spare parts shortages, have worsened the already dire humanitarian conditions.

Residents and local authorities are demanding the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of food, medical supplies, and fuel. They emphasise that the ongoing siege constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights and poses a direct threat to the lives of civilians.



PUKMEDIA