Turkey Blocks Humanitarian Aid Convoy Heading to Kobani for the Second Time

Aid Convoy Turned Back at the Border

Last week, Turkish authorities prevented a convoy of 25 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies from reaching the Turkey–Syria border. The convoy included water, milk, baby formula and blankets, and had been assembled in the southeastern Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakır by the Diyarbakır Solidarity and Protection Platform, the NGO organizing the aid effort.

Second Denial Despite Initial Authorization

After being blocked last week, the convoy was later authorized to travel via Azaz, a city in northern Syria, with its own delegation overseeing the handover. However, the NGO said in a statement on Wednesday that “the delegation was again denied permission.”

The trucks “were not allowed to cross into Kobani despite all efforts,” the group added, noting that the aid had to be transported back to Diyarbakır.

Kobani Overwhelmed by Displaced Civilians

Residents of Kobani told Agence France-Presse last week that they were running out of food, water and electricity as the town struggled to cope with the influx of people fleeing the advance of the Syrian army.

Kurdish forces accused the Syrian army of imposing a siege on Kobani, also known as Ain al-Arab in Arabic.

New Agreement Between Damascus and Syrian Kurds

After months of deadlock and fighting, Damascus and the Syrian Kurds announced an agreement on Friday. The deal “seeks to unify Syrian territory,” including Kurdish areas, while maintaining a ceasefire and introducing the “gradual integration” of Kurdish forces and administrative institutions, according to the text of the agreement.

Kobani’s Symbolic Importance

Kurdish forces liberated Kobani from a prolonged siege by the Islamic State group in 2015, marking their first major victory against ISIS. Turkey, however, views Syrian Kurdish fighters as an extension of the outlawed PKK.

© Agence France-Presse