Syria: Authorities must flip the switch and restore internet access in Kobani

Skyline International for Human Rights strongly condemns the Syrian Transitional Government’s imposition of a complete internet shutdown in the Kurdish city of Kobani starting on January 22, 2026. This blackout is being weaponized alongside a total military blockade of the city in the east Aleppo province to isolate a historically marginalized population and hide potential atrocities from the eyes of the world. By pulling the kill switch during a military siege, the transitional authorities in Syria are intentionally creating a vacuum that prevents the documentation of violations and shields perpetrators from global accountability.

Kobani is a primary center for the Kurdish minority and has long been a symbol of resistance and cultural identity. For decades these communities have faced systemic discrimination and the denial of basic civil rights. The current military offensive aimed at reducing Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the region is a continuation of this cycle of persecution against a group already pushed to the margins. The city is now facing a dual threat of military assault and a total media vacuum as government forces have surrounded the city and launched intense attacks on the southern and southwestern countryside despite existing ceasefire agreements.

The total shutdown of the internet is a calculated tactic to facilitate a media blackout. This interruption prevents the documentation of human rights violations and stops civilians from delivering distress appeals to the international community. Without connectivity, it is nearly impossible for human rights defenders to verify reports of violence or for humanitarian organizations to coordinate the delivery of life-saving assistance. The silence imposed on the city is a direct barrier to accountability and justice. Due to the severity of this blackout, Kurdish residents have appealed for emergency satellite internet access through Starlink to ensure that the population is not left in total darkness.

The humanitarian conditions are reaching a breaking point as the military siege has caused an acute shortage of food and medical supplies. Electricity and water services have been cut while constant bombardment continues to terrorize a population that has swelled as civilians flee from surrounding villages toward the city center. While the government claims that the SDF caused these outages by damaging energy infrastructure near the Tishreen Dam, the localized nature of the simultaneous internet blackout suggests a deliberate effort to weaponize basic services and isolate the city. History has shown that cutting off a marginalized population from the world is often a precursor to large-scale massacres and ethnic displacement.

Skyline International reminds the Syrian Transitional Government that the intentional disruption of internet access during a military conflict is a violation of international law. We call for immediate action from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression to investigate this blackout as a matter of urgency. We also call upon the International Telecommunication Union to exert maximum pressure on the Syrian authorities to restore connectivity.