Nine dead in Kobanê detention center after protests over soldier's killing
Dozens were detained after protesting the killing of Kurdish soldier Sami Sheikhmous Heso. Officials say nine of those detained, who had resisted transfer to Aleppo, died after a fire broke out at the facility where they were held. Footage from the city reportedly shows Syrian internal security forces, said to have been sent from Aleppo, shouting "Allahu akbar" as they moved against demonstrators.
RastinewsNine people detained during a security crackdown on protests over the killing of Kurdish soldier Sami Sheikhmous Heso have died at the facility where they were held in Kobanê. Some media outlets say the young detainees set themselves on fire to avoid torture and draw attention to their plight, while other sources say a fire broke out in the building.
Syrian security forces moved against protests in Kobanê that erupted after Heso was abducted and killed. Footage showed security personnel, reportedly brought in from Aleppo, shouting "Allahu akbar" during the crackdown.
Dozens of people, including children and young people, were detained in the operation. Those held were reportedly being kept at a facility ahead of transfer to Aleppo.
Conflicting accounts have emerged over how the incident that killed nine people at the facility began. Some media outlets and local sources say the detained young people set themselves on fire to avoid torture and to make their voices heard. Other sources say a fire broke out at the detention center for reasons that remain unclear.
No official or independent statement has been issued on the identities, ages or causes of death of those killed. Calls are growing for an independent investigation into every aspect of the incident.