Turkish Shelling on Syria’s Kobani Claims Lives of Teacher and 11 Students
By Kardo Roj
KOBANI, Syria (North Press) – A teacher and 11 students lost their lives in Kobani due to ongoing Turkish shelling and drone strikes conducted by Turkish forces and allied opposition factions since December 8, 2024, according to a local education official.
Villages and towns in western and southern Kobani have been subjected to indiscriminate artillery fire and drone attacks, with daily strikes reported near Karakozak Bridge and Tishrin Dam, severely impacting civilian lives and infrastructure.
Civilians and Schools Targeted
Kamiran Ebeh, spokesperson for the Kobani School Administration, told North Press that a teacher, Abdullah Sheikh Ali, and his family were killed when their home in the village of Tal Abir in western Kobani was struck by shelling.
The attack also destroyed the school in Tal Abir, located 35 kilometers west of Kobani, depriving local students of their access to education.
“Several schools in Ayn Issa, including Al-Hurriya village school, were completely destroyed due to the indiscriminate bombardment, leaving students without a safe place to learn,” Ebeh added.
Disruption to Education
More than 1,000 students from all educational levels have been forced to abandon their studies as the attacks intensified during the mid-term exam period.
Ebeh condemned the Turkish assaults and accused the forces of committing crimes against children and students. He called on international organizations, including UNICEF and the international coalition, to intervene and halt the Turkish aggression.
Names of Victims
North Press obtained the names of the 11 students killed in the attacks:
Nasim Barhou Khalaf
Fatima Ismail Mustafa
Hussein Ismail Mustafa
Kholoud Ismail Mustafa
Iman Ismail Mustafa
Mazloum Abdelqader Khalo
Youssef Abdelqader Khalo
Shahad Hamad Sheikh
Mohammed Mustafa Al-Eido
Zamzam Mustafa Al-Eido
Abdelqader Mustafa Al-Eido
Calls for Accountability
The ongoing attacks have sparked outrage in Kobani and beyond, with local officials urging international and human rights organizations to take immediate action. The destruction of educational institutions and loss of young lives highlight the devastating impact of the conflict on Syria’s future generations.
Turkey has faced growing criticism for its military operations in northern Syria, which Ankara justifies as part of its campaign against what it perceives as “terrorist elements.” However, human rights groups have repeatedly denounced these actions as violations of international law, often targeting civilians and essential infrastructure.
As Kobani mourns its losses, residents and officials continue to demand justice and protection for their region, fearing further escalation in the coming weeks.