Turkish troops are refusing to allow food to be given to people from Kobanê who have taken refuge near the border in order to protect themselves from ISIS attacks. It has been claimed that cars belonging to the people there are being stolen as a result of a deal between the commander at the Merdesimbêl military post and ISIS gangs.

Residents of Kobanê who flooded to the border after gang attacks face repression by Turkish soldiers at many points along the border. Villagers from Zehvan, Boydê, Etmanek, Alizer, Swêdê and Merdesimbêl attempting to take food to the stranded people who are there with their vehicles are being obstructed by Turkish soldiers.

Vehicles being stolen from near the military post

Vehicles have been stolen in the area opposite the village of Merdesimbêl (Mert İsmail) in particular, with footage of the thefts having been taken by our agency.

A deal between the gangs and Turkish military?

Turkish troops who are content to merely watch the gangs are now pressurising people from the Alişar village of Kobanê to move closer to the border with their vehicles. The villagers do not want to leave their vehicles, but say the soldiers have set dogs on them and not allowed any foodstuffs to be given to them. They also claim that the commander of the military post takes a commission from the gangs for every vehicle stolen.

‘They have sold our vehicles to the gangs’

The people said they will not abandon their vehicles, despite their relatives trying to bring food being told that they should leave them and cross the border. They said: “They have done a deal with the gangs over our vehicles, but we will not allow them to take us or our vehicles. They tried once before and we responded and will do so again if they attempt it”.