Turkey blocks aid convoy to Syria’s Kurdish regions, NGO says
The second humanitarian aid convoy, consisting of 5 trucks, sent by the Aleppo Emergency Response Center Committee, the Syrian Red Crescent, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to Ayn al-Arab (Kobane). (Ömer Koparan/Anadolu Agency)
A renewed blockade has stalled life-saving aid to Syria’s Kurdish-majority of Kobane, as Turkey stopped a humanitarian convoy amid escalating displacement and shortages, according to The New Arab plus agencies via AFP on February 4th.
Turkish authorities have blocked a humanitarian aid convoy for the second time from reaching the Syrian Kurdish-majority city of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab and Kobani, an area struggling to cope with an influx of civilians fleeing ongoing clashes, a local NGO said on February 4th.
The decision has renewed concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions in the border city. Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, has been overwhelmed by people escaping fighting between Syrian army forces and Kurdish fighters. Residents say basic services are under severe strain as food, water and electricity supplies diminish.
The latest convoy, carrying essential humanitarian goods, had been organised by the Diyarbakır Solidarity and Protection Platform, an NGO based in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeastern city of Diyarbakır. The trucks were loaded with water, milk, baby formula and blankets intended for civilians sheltering in and around Kobane.
This marks the second time Turkish authorities have intervened. Just a week earlier, a separate convoy of 25 trucks destined for Kobane was stopped before reaching the Turkey-Syria border.
Following that blockage, the aid group was initially granted permission to reroute through the northern Syrian city of Azaz, with its own delegation tasked with overseeing the delivery.
However, the plan collapsed when “the delegation was again denied permission,” the NGO said in a statement on February 4th. Despite repeated attempts to negotiate passage, the group said the trucks “were not allowed to cross into Kobane despite all efforts,” adding that “the aid was brought back to Diyarbakır.”
Kurdish forces have accused the Syrian army of imposing a siege on Kobane, claims that come amid a fragile political moment. After months of fighting and stalemate, Damascus and Syrian Kurdish authorities announced an agreement on January 30th aimed at easing tensions.
The deal “seeks to unify Syrian territory”, including Kurdish regions, while preserving a ceasefire and allowing for the “gradual integration” of Kurdish forces and administrative institutions.
Kobane holds deep symbolic importance for Syrian Kurds, having been liberated from a prolonged Islamic State siege in 2015, their first major victory against the jihadist group.
Turkey, however, considers Syrian Kurdish fighters to be affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist organisation.
The New Arab plus agencies via AFP, Maghrebi.org
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