While the Turkish President, Prime Minister and government officials continue to say at every opportunity: “we are taking ownership of the people of Kobanê and embracing them”, 40 more people from Kobanê have been sent back to their hometown today following the deportation of 64 refugees two days ago,

After crossing from Kobanê into Turkey from the Mürşitpınar border gate with the approval of the Turkish authorities on 6 October, 310 citizens from Kobanê were initially held at the Suruç Science High School. 4 days later they were moved to the Suruç sports hall and the authorities began to release those ‘they considered suitable’ one by one.

After the hostages started hunger strike in protest at their treatment and custody, early in the morning of 14 October 64 of the hostages were taken to Mürşitpınar and deported. One of those, 16-year-old Xelil Mistefa, was wounded by an ISIS bomb on the same day and had his right leg amputated at the Urfa Mehmet Akif İnan hospital. His condition remains life-threatening.

36 among them were released yesterday.

40 of the hostages have been order deportation today evening after being forced to sign documents declaring that they wanted to go at their own request, reacting to the attitude of officials who forced them to be 'sent to either Kobanê or Qamishlo'.

One among those deported today told the followings while on his way to the Mürşitpınar border crossing before entering Kobanê; "The state has held us here until today. It was worse than prison. They threatened us to either go back to Kobanê or to be held in custody here for ever. We are going back to Kobanê now and are calling on all our people to join us."

After being taken to Mürşitpınar border crossing in minibuses, the refugees were sent back into Kobanê. 109 people are still being kept hostage in the Suruç Sports hall.