Kobani

Kobani (Arabic: كوباين, Kurdish: کۆبانی) is a town in the Aleppo Governorate of northern Syria, located near the border with Turkey and about 90 kilometres southeast of the city of Aleppo. It lies along the Khabur River and serves as a local center for agriculture, primarily cultivating wheat, barley and fruit crops. The town sits at an elevation of 332 metres above sea level and is connected by regional roads to the provincial capital and to the Turkish border.

During the late Ottoman period Kobani was part of the Vilayet of Aleppo and later became incorporated into the French Mandate of Syria. The population recorded in the 1960 census was primarily Kurdish, with smaller Arab and Turkmen minorities. Throughout the 20th century the town experienced gradual modernization, including the construction of a primary school, a health clinic and a small market.

In 2014–2015 Kobani became the focal point of a major military confrontation when the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by U.S. airstrikes, defended the town against an offensive by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Battle of Kobani drew international attention, marked by extensive media coverage, and resulted in significant destruction of infrastructure and displacement of residents. After the town’s recapture, relief agencies and reconstruction efforts were initiated in collaboration with regional partners.

Today Kobani remains a symbol of Kurdish resistance and strategic importance in Syrian politics. Its redevelopment has been supported by both local authorities and international donors, with ongoing focus on restoring basic services, rebuilding homes and reestablishing agricultural production.