Video: Turks, Kurds express their fears as IS advances on Kobane
Locals accuse Turkey and the US-led coalition of inactivity over the crisis in Kobane
Kobane lies on the Syria-Turkey border and is considered of strategic importance (Giulia Bertoluzzi/MEE)
Published date: 13 February 2015 01:30 GMT
|
Last update: 9 years 8 months ago
As militants from the Islamic State advance on the strategic border city of Kobane, Kurdish and Turkish residents on both sides of the border fear the consequences of the city falling to the group.
At least a quarter of Kobane and 396 surrounding villages, which are thought to have a population of around 400,000 mostly Kurds, are now "completely empty", Barzan Iso, a Syrian journalist currently in Kobane told MEE on Monday.
Though the Kurdish PKK and YPG have fought hard to retain control of the area, residents have complained of a lack of support from either the Turkish government - who many accuse of being in league with IS - or the US-led coalition.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
