KOBANI, Syria (North Press) – Ali does not like how his city ended up after being globally known for challenging and breaking the Islamic state (ISIS). It soon faded away, and the city was neglected by the Global Coalition and the international community.
Ali Ahmad, 42, from Kobani, told North Press that the fierce battle in Kobani against the world’s “largest terrorist group” led to the destruction of 90 percent of the infrastructure, residential buildings of the city, the economic structure, and the displacement of its people.
The people of Kobani believe the Global Coalition and the international civil society organizations stepping down from supporting the stability of their region years after expelling ISIS from the city has led to destabilizing its economy and immigration of its youth, especially after the Turkish threats of invading the region over the last three years.
Ahmad added that after liberating Kobani from ISIS, the return of its people, implementing economic projects, and the aid provided by international organizations, the situation improved in all aspects, particularly in health, agriculture, and services.
However, after Turkey’s war in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad, most organizations left Kobani, negatively affecting and destabilizing the economic situation of its residents.
On Oct. 9, 2019, Turkish forces occupied the two cities and the 80km long and 30km deep borderline. After nine days of battles with the Turkish forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to withdraw from Sere Kaniye after a US-Russian mediation with the Turkish side, within the framework of a ceasefire agreement.
Immigration of youth
Turkey’s military operation was the most prominent reason for the destabilization of the city, leading to the immigration of young men from Kobani to Europe. Some of them lost their lives on the road. The immigration started due to the absence of eligible grounds for stability amid the continuous Turkish threats against Kobani.
It also led to the withdrawal of international organizations due to security risks, which in turn led to the decline and deterioration of the economic situation of the people, according to Ahmad.
The region needs the presence of these organizations to help improving the living and economic conditions of the people and to support agriculture, health, and education projects, which will contribute to reducing the immigration of the youth.
No support from the Global Coalition
Ahmad believes the Global Coalition militarily assisted Kobani till its liberation from ISIS, then provided civil aid to the people of the region but has stopped.
He hopes the Coalition will contribute to the stabilization efforts “in order for the people to remain in the region and not immigrate.” The presence of the Coalition and its assistance will contribute to supporting the population and ensuring stability in the region.
Muhammad Muhammad, 40, from Kobani, agrees the city has made great sacrifices against ISIS and that the Global Coalition helped in the war and assisted the people after their return through organizations and job opportunities and supporting the service sector and the stability of the region.
Impact of NGOs’ withdrawal
Muhammad thinks the constant Turkish threats against the region made the organization relocate to Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor hence the people lost their jobs and caused the immigration of the youth.
It is the duty of the Global Coalition as a partner in the fight against ISIS to work on stabilizing the region and the return of international organizations, according to Muhammad.
Ismail Ahmad, co-chair of the Humanitarian Organizations Affairs Office in Kobani, explained that many international organizations headed to Kobani after the expulsion of ISIS.
About 30 organizations worked in the rehabilitation of the infrastructure, sewage, and water systems, demining, and relief with the support of the Global Coalition to assist Kobani.
Ahmad noted that after 2019, the organizations left Kobani due to Turkish threats, which negatively impacted the economic situation in the region.
With the beginning of the liberation of Kobani, two US organizations (Tetra Tech and Tiger ) provided job opportunities to many people in the region. These jobs supported many families in the region and had a significant positive impact by supporting the region’s economy, he added.
The Turkish threats led to the suspension of the Coalition’s support for the region and the withdrawal of organizations, which significantly impacted the trade in Kobani and negatively affecting the economic conditions of its population.
Capital owners in Kobani wanted to work in the region and start economic projects, but because of Turkish threats and instability, they did not carry out those projects, according to Ahmad.
The return of the Global Coalition to the Region would bring stability and reassurance to the people, especially if humanitarian organizations operate there and would eliminate people’s fears.
The number of operating NGOs in Kobani in 2019 was 30, and it has since declined to five foreign and six local organizations after 2019.
The current foreign organizations are operating with one or two offices only. The organizations that cannot return to the region can support local partners. There are six local organizations suspended due to lack of support.
The organizations worked in the medical and relief sectors, the sewage system, demining, vocational training, and restoration of the infrastructure. But the support has significantly declined.