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Gallery|Humanitarian Crises

In Pictures: Exit Kobane

As ISIL fighters rampage through the Syrian border town, scores of residents have fled to neighbouring Turkey.

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A US-led coalition is carrying out air strikes against ISIL, and has targeted ISIL hardware in Kobane.
By Emre Rende
Published On 14 Oct 2014

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) launched an offensive to take over Kobane, a strategic town in Syria’s Kurdish-majority region, in mid-September. The fighting has so far killed more than 500 people and forced 200,000 others from Kobane and its surrounding villages to flee across the border into Turkey.

Despite having spent close to $4bn on Syrian refugees since the beginning of the civil war in Syria more than three years ago, Turkey has come under heavy criticism from the international community and its own Kurdish minority for not doing more to help Kobane, namely by allowing armed Kurds to cross the border to fight in the town.

Turkey has been reluctant to get involved militarily, partly because it is concerned about arming the Kurdish forces; for the better part of the past three decades, Turkey has been embroiled in civil war with its Kurdish minority.

For those who have made it across the border, meanwhile, life in Turkey is one of frustration and uncertainty.  

Almost half of all refugees from Kobane are children, according to the UNHCR.
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People fled Kobane and its surrounding villages almost a month ago when ISIL first launched its attacks on the city.
Thousands of civilians are still believed to be stranded in Kobane.
Due to a lack of space in official government camps, makeshifts refugee camps like this disused wedding hall house those fleeing the fighting.
Syrian Kurds who cross the border are taken to towns and villages surrounding the Turkish city of Sanliurfa.
Syrian Kurds cross the border at the Yumurtalik village near Suruc, carrying their most precious belongings. This man crossed the border with his cat.
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Turkey says it will continue to provide shelter and medical care to anyone in need.
Turkey, wary of its long conflict with its own large Kurdish population, has ruled out any unilateral ground intervention.
The Turkish military has been on high alert since the Turkish parliament passed a motion to grant it the legal framework for cross-border operations against ISIL.
The fighting can be heard and seen from Suruc, a small town on the Turkish side of the border. Many gather to watch the fighting unfold.
Turkey says it has spent close to $4bn on Syrian refugees since the beginning of the civil war.
The number of refugees from Kobane in Turkey is now nearing 200,000.
Those who have family and relatives on the Turkish side of the border prefer to stay with them.
Those who do not have relatives in Turkey live in camps set up by Turkey(***)s emergency relief agency.

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