Kobani officials seek lifting of blockade in talks with Aleppo governor
KOBANI, Syria (North Press) – Farhan Haj Issa, Co-Chair of the Executive Council in Kobani, northern Syria, told North Press on Saturday that a delegation from the city visited Aleppo to discuss a number of service-related and humanitarian issues, foremost among them the blockade imposed on Kobani.
Haj Issa said the meeting also addressed the implementation of the agreement between the Syrian transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as mechanisms for putting the deal into practice on the ground.
Kobani has been experiencing severe humanitarian conditions for the past 21 days, with no electricity, water, or internet services, alongside acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, amid the continued blockade of the city.
He added that the visit primarily focused on efforts “to lift the siege imposed on Kobani and to find solutions regarding the government forces stationed in Kobani villages.”
The discussions also covered violations reported in some areas, with the delegation calling either for the withdrawal of these forces or for an end to such violations until the full implementation of the agreement between Damascus and the SDF.
Haj Issa noted that the delegation also sought to open a humanitarian corridor, stressing that “a state which claims to represent all cannot lay siege to an area like Kobani.”
He highlighted residents’ suffering due to water and electricity cuts, as well as what he described as “certain inappropriate practices at checkpoints.”
He said discussions with government officials took place within this framework and described the atmosphere as “positive,” noting that officials showed an understanding of the demands raised, despite offering no firm or immediate promises to resolve the issues.
Haj Issa concluded by saying that government officials demonstrated clear interest in the Kobani delegation and attached special importance to the visit as part of efforts to explore future solutions.