JINHA

AMED – The Northern Kurdish city of Diyarbakır is preparing to host a conference on the reconstruction of Kobanê on May 2-3.

Since YPG/YPJ fighters liberated the Rojava city of Kobanê from Daesh gangs after months of struggle, in late January, people of Kobanê and those in solidarity with them have been discussing how to reconstruct the razed city. The conference in Diyarbakır, in Turkey, will bring together 300 delegates from international and Kurdistan-based groups to discuss the reconstruction.

Enver Müslim, co-president of Kobanê Canton, said that the need for solidarity with Kobanê continues, even if the armed resistance is over. The conference aims to determine the city's needs. Associations of engineers, lawyers, businesspeople, human rights activists, doctors, unions, and faith-based organizations have all been invited.

Although there will be guests from international NGOs and humanitarian organizations, said Enver, "this conference will be more Kurdistani." The reconstruction committee hopes to hold a similar, internationally oriented conference after the city has determined its basic needs.

Şevin Mahmut, chair of the Kobanê Reconstruction Committee, says women are readying to make their perspective central the conference, with women participating in every panel and all decision-making bodies.

According to Şevin, conference attendees will be discussing the need for energy, water, areas for crop cultivation, house construction—and the push for a humanitarian corridor to the city, which continues to be under embargo.

(sg-do/gc/cm)