A second convoy of aid trucks, carrying basic supplies including hygiene products, food parcels, blankets, baby formula, water, coal and stoves, was sent on April 18 through the Kilis–Çobanbey (Al-Rai) border crossing with the aim of reaching Kobanê.

 

However, the trucks were blocked by the Syrian Transitional Government. The aid materials are currently being held in warehouses belonging to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) at the border crossing.

 

 

Platform co-spokespersons Mahsum Çiya Korkmaz and Yıldız Ok Orak spoke about the situation.

 

Korkmaz said that previous attempts to send aid via the Mürşitpınar border crossing had also faced obstacles. He noted that 25 trucks of supplies collected within two days were eventually delivered to Kobanê, but that the second convoy has been similarly blocked.

 

He added that the Syrian Transitional Government had demanded that the trucks be handed over to them. Despite requesting, as before, that the aid be delivered under the supervision of two platform representatives, the Transitional authorities insisted that the distribution be carried out at locations of their choosing. Korkmaz said the platform rejected these conditions, resulting in the aid being held at the border.

 

“We are continuing efforts to ensure the aid reaches Kobanê through international legal mechanisms. The people who provided this aid wanted it delivered to Kobanê, and that must be respected,” he said.

 

‘OPEN THE MÜRŞITPINAR BORDER CROSSING’

 

Yıldız Ok Orak said they have been trying to reach people in Kobanê since the start of the attacks and launched aid campaigns for this purpose. She said they initially prepared hygiene supplies, followed by food packages, and included messages of solidarity in multiple languages. Based on feedback from those who delivered earlier aid, she added that there is a shortage of medical supplies that needs urgent attention.

 

She concluded: “We do not accept the blocking of aid by the Syrian Transitional Government. If the Mürşitpınar border crossing were opened instead of the Çobanbey crossing, this problem would not occur. We demand that it be opened. Kobanê is the only place where aid has not reached. Assistance must be delivered there urgently.”

 

MA / Fethi Balaman