News

INCIDENT ALERT

Location: Kobanê (North and East Syria)
Date of Alert: 28 January, 2026
Period Covered: 21-27 January 2026
Source: Briefing by Kamaran Osman (CPT Kurdistan), shared via AVA Media; transcribed by JusticeNow

1. Summary

Since 21 January, the city of Kobanê has been under sustained siege conditions marked by severe restrictions on essential services and humanitarian access. According to multiple reports presented by Kamaran Osman of CPT Kurdistan, civilians are facing critical shortages of food, water, electricity, and telecommunications.

The situation constitutes a severe humanitarian emergency with escalating protection risks for civilians, including displaced populations and women. Local civil society organizations report being overwhelmed due to the near-total withdrawal of international NGOs from the area.

2. Reported Incidents and Humanitarian Impact

According to the briefing:

• Essential services including electricity, internet, and telecommunications have been fully or partially cut.

• Water access from the Tishreen Dam has reportedly been blocked, leaving only limited internal water supplies, which are insufficient to meet civilian needs.

• Food and basic supplies are reportedly unable to enter the city due to access restrictions and blockade conditions.

These measures have resulted in heightened humanitarian vulnerability, particularly for children, elderly persons, and those with medical needs.

3. Protection Concerns

The briefing documents serious protection concerns, including:

• Reports of direct targeting of civilians, challenging claims that hostilities are limited to armed actors.

• Missing civilians reported during displacement movements over a short period of time.

• Heightened risks facing women, including gender-based violence, as reported by eyewitnesses and corroborated by multiple local sources.

Several major incidents involving civilian harm were reported as underreported or absent from international media coverage.

4. Humanitarian Access and Aid Interference

Significant concerns were raised regarding humanitarian access and the safety of aid operations:

• A humanitarian corridor was reportedly opened; however, armed actors allegedly attempted to enter Kobanê by blending into humanitarian convoys, including convoys carrying UN relief assistance.

• These incidents, if confirmed, pose serious risks to civilian safety, humanitarian neutrality, and the integrity of aid delivery.

• Local defense forces were reportedly compelled to conduct security checks on convoys due to these concerns.

It was reported that 24 UN relief trucks reached Kobanê; however, access remains inconsistent and insecure.

5. Humanitarian Presence and Operational Gaps

According to CPT Kurdistan:

• Of approximately 91 international NGOs previously operating in Rojava, none are currently present in Kobanê.

• 51 INGO offices were reportedly damaged or destroyed.

• Local organizations (estimated at over 300) lack the capacity to document violations or respond to humanitarian needs at the scale required.

This absence significantly limits independent monitoring, documentation, and response capacity.

6. Assessment

Based on the information presented, the situation in Kobanê indicates:

• A deliberate deprivation of essential services affecting civilians

• Severe access constraints for humanitarian actors

• High risk of further civilian harm in the absence of independent monitoring and sustained humanitarian presence

These conditions may constitute violations of international humanitarian law, including obligations related to civilian protection and humanitarian access.

7. Urgent Recommendations

JusticeNow echoes the following urgent calls:

1. Immediate, safe, and sustained humanitarian access to Kobanê

2. Deployment or return of international humanitarian and protection actors

3. Independent monitoring and documentation of reported violations

4. Measures to ensure the neutrality and protection of humanitarian convoys

5. Prioritization of civilian protection, with specific attention to women and displaced persons

Notes on Verification

This alert is based on a transcribed briefing by Kamaran Osman from CPT Kurdistan organization that traveled to North and East Syria firsthand to document the violations. It was  shared via AVA Media. JusticeNow has not independently verified all reported incidents and shares this alert in line with standard humanitarian practice to flag credible concerns requiring urgent attention and further investigation.