At every opportunity the Turkish President, Prime Minister and government officials say: “we are taking ownership of the people of Kobanê and embracing them”. However, the reality is starkly different. Last night 64 of the 261 people who have been held hostage in Suruç for 9 days were taken to the Mürşitpınar border gate and deported.

After arriving from Kobanê on 6 October at the request and with the approval of the officials at the Mürşitpınar border gate, 64 of the 261 people being held hostage have been deported back to Kobanê. After being promised for days by local and government officials that they would be released the hostages reacted to their incarceration in poor conditions yesterday, breaking windows and doors at the Suruç sports hall where they are being held. On hearing of the incident, HDP deputies went to the sports hall and initiated a sit-down protest with the hostages. Meanwhile, HDP deputies spoke to government officials, who told them the issue would be raised at a cabinet meeting. After the cabinet meeting it was stated that all the hostages would be deported. The deputies said they would not accept this and talks resumed with officials. Eventually, it was decided that those who wished to return to Kobanê would be sent back, and the situation of the remaining hostages would be clarified today.

A list was drawn up and 61 of the hostages, that include children, the elderly and journalists, put their names on the list. 3 people who had been held, then subsequently been released, added their names to the list. After photographs had been taken of the 64 hostages, they were put in 6 minibuses and reports were drawn up pertaining to the fact they would be deported. The reports were signed by HDP Urfa MPs İbrahim Ayhan and İbrahim Binici, Şırnak MP Faysal Sarıyıldız and Van MP Aysel Tuğluk. At 02.00 the vehicles headed towards the Mürşitpınar border gate. As they left the sports hall the hostages made victory signs and shouted “Long Live the Kobanê Resistance”.

On arrival at the border gate at 02.30 the vehicles passed into Kobanê without halting. The people were met by security officials at the border, which has been closed for a week and under bombardment by ISIS gangs who want to seize it.

The people of Kobanê being held hostage in Suruç had arrived on 6 October after clashes in the town intensified. After being held for 4 days it emerged they had been mistreated and tortured. After being frequently interrogated by a special team from Ankara they were taken to the Suruç sports hall, where they continued to be held as hostages. They reacted to their incarceration in poor conditions yesterday, breaking windows and doors. 160 of the hostages are still on hunger strike in protest. The situation of the remaining 200 hostages from Kobanê is expected to be clarified today.