Brussels, 13/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 10 October, the EU strongly condemned the Islamic State (IS) offensive in the border town of Kobane in Syria. “We are deeply concerned by the security and humanitarian situation in Kobane and the rest of the Syrian Kurdish self-proclaimed autonomous region after three weeks of siege and fierce fighting against ISIL”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in a press release. Ashton's spokesperson stated that the people of Kobane had shown the international community their resolve to use all the means to protect their fundamental rights and values and to resist oppression. The EU announced humanitarian aid of €3.9 million on Sunday 12 October to respond to the urgent needs of some 180,000 Syrians who have fled to Turkey to escape the fighting in Kobane (see other article).
The EU underlined that it was determined to play its role fully in the fight against IS and in showing solidarity with all the people suffering from its actions. “The EU, Turkey and all other regional and international partners need to work together more, to isolate and contain the threat of ISIL”, said Ashton's spokesperson. Turkey has authorised the US to use its air bases to fight against IS, a US official announced on 12 October. Ashton's spokesperson stated that the EU was going to continue supporting the diplomatic efforts of the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, for a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
EU concerned by violence in Turkey. The EU said it is also “very concerned” by the recent violence in Turkey linked to the situation in Kobane - violence which has resulted in the loss of over 30 lives and 360 people injured. Riots began on 6 October, after a call for people to protest was made by the main Kurdish political formation in Turkey, the People's Democratic Party (HDP). The Kurds and left-wing protesters criticise the government for refusing to intervene militarily to save Kobane and for refusing to establish a supply corridor for men and weapons.
“We call on all sides to commit to dialogue to resolve differences, and reiterate the EU's strong support” to the process set up by the Turkish government for finding a solution to the Kurdish issue, said Ashton's spokesperson. (CG)