After months of fighting, our brave YPG and YPJ units have successfully driven out all ISIS terrorists from our democratic canton of Kobane. We are grateful for all the international support that we have received to achieve this victory in battle. However, as of yet, we have received no official humanitarian aid from any government or international organization. Out of the 525,000 civilians from the Kobane canton, only 25,000 currently reside within Kobane. Of the remaining civilians, 200,000 are currently trapped in Turkey and the rest have spread to different countries. They are all waiting to return to their homes. In order to facilitate the smooth transition of refugees back to their rightful homes, there are a number of obstacles that must be overcome.

1. Rebuilding of the city of Kobane: As a result of ISIS’s offensive against Kobane, more than 80% of the city is completely destroyed and urgently needs to be reconstructed. This is of utmost importance as refugees cannot return to their homes until the city is rebuilt. For the past two years, there has been no electricity in Kobane and a constant shortage of water. Such a lack of services makes it very difficult for the people to resume their lives in the city. In order for civilians to safely return to their homes, we are making an urgent call for international aid and support in the rebuilding of our city.

2. Unexploded bombs and explosives: Whilst ISIS have now been defeated, there are still serious dangers for the people of Kobane. The city is full of unexploded bombs and mortars. Children play in the street next to the real threat posed by such bombs. In the last week alone, half a dozen people have died from these bombs. In the villages surrounding Kobane, ISIS have left houses full of deadly explosives, making it very difficult for our forces to proceed effectively. Until all bombs and explosives are removed from Kobane, the city and villages will not be safe and refugees, living in camps in Turkey, will not be able to return to their homes. We are calling on the international community and the UN to provide the necessary expertise and tools to remove the hazardous bombs and explosives urgently.

3. Opening of a humanitarian corridor: Our Rojava project officially began on January 27, 2014, but we have faced an embargo since January 2013 against the three democratic cantons of Kobane, Afrin, and Cezire. We call on the international community to lift this embargo immediately as it is obstructing the rebuilding of Kobane. Without a humanitarian corridor to provide medical supplies and other aid as well as materials for reconstruction, Kobane cannot be rebuilt. It is of the utmost importance that Turkey allows such a corridor to be opened, and we call on the international community to immediately demand this for the dignity of the Kobane resistance and the people of the canton.

When we announced that our brave YPG and YPJ forces had achieved victory and defeated the ISIS terrorists on January 27, 2015, the whole world celebrated the victory as one of humanity against terrorism. The Prime Minister of Kobane canton, Enwer Muslim, has stated that “the resistance and victory of Kobane was a victory for humanity and will be an example [of such] in history. In the face of ISIS barbarism, Kobane stood up for humanity. Now, it is time for the humanity of the international community to stand up for Kobane.”

We would like to invite those that stood by us in battle to continue to support us in the rebuilding of Kobane. We call on all governments and international organizations to immediately help facilitate the rebuilding of Kobane by providing us with the necessary support.

Sincerely,

Administration of Kobane Canton

Enwer Muslim, 02.14.2015