Turkey blocks aid convoy to Kobani for second time – NGO
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkish authorities have blocked for a second time a humanitarian aid convoy from reaching the Kurdish-majority city of Kobani in northern Syria, as the city grapples with a growing influx of civilians fleeing ongoing fighting, a local NGO said on Wednesday.
The convoy, organized by the Diyarbakir Solidarity and Protection Platform, consisted of 25 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies, including water, milk, baby formula, and blankets.
The aid was assembled in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir and was intended to support civilians in Kobani, which has been overwhelmed by displacement due to clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).
According to the platform, Turkish authorities had initially blocked the convoy last week from reaching the Turkey–Syria border. Afterward, the group said it was granted conditional authorization to deliver the aid via the northern Syrian city of Azaz, with a delegation assigned to supervise the handover.
However, the organization said in a statement that the delegation was again denied permission, and the trucks were ultimately prevented from crossing into Kobani “despite all efforts.” As a result, the aid was returned to Diyarbakir.
Residents of Kobani told media outlets last week that the city was facing severe shortages of food, water, and electricity, as thousands of civilians sought refuge from fighting in surrounding areas.
The YPG forces have accused the Syrian government forces of imposing a siege on the city.
The developments come despite a recent agreement announced on Friday between Damascus and the Syrian Kurds, following months of confrontation.
The deal aims to unify Syrian territory, maintain a ceasefire, and introduce the gradual integration of Kurdish military and administrative institutions into state structures.
Kobani holds symbolic significance for Syrian Kurds, having been liberated from a prolonged siege by the Islamic State group in 2015. Turkey, however, considers Syrian Kurdish forces terrorist-linked due to their alleged affiliation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).