36 of the people from Kobanê who crossed the border 9 days ago under the authorization of Turkish officials and who were later kept hostage by the authorities, have been released today. The released, most of whom are children and women, have been taken to the disaster tents established by the state institution, AFAD.

Hundreds of people from Kobanê, mainly children, women and the elderly, crossed the border at Mursitpinar on 6 October after the clashes in Kobanê intensified. Today 36 of these people, mainly women, children and their first degree relatives, have been released following days-long negotiations with the government authorities and taken to the AFAD tents located in the Aligör neighbourhood of Suruç.

149 people from Kobanê are still being kept hostage in the Suruç Sports hall. The Urfa Bar Association and the deputies of HDP are keeping in touch and carrying on negotiations with the local and governmental authorities for the release of the other hostages.

The members of the Urfa bar held a meeting with the Suruç district governor, but were told that the office to speak to was the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The governor said that they will act in accordance with the orders they receive from the ministry.

Lawyers and HDP deputies stated that they will continue their contacts for the release of the hostages.

In the meantime, 64 of the hostages were deported early yesterday morning on the orders of the government and were sent to Kobanê where clashes have intensified.