News Links January 27, 2026

 

January 27, 2026

SYRIA

Yazidis and Kurds face uncertain future amid fragile ceasefire – Despite a ceasefire extended to 15 days on January 24 between Syria's transitional government and Kurdish-led SDF, Damascus-affiliated factions continue attacks near Kobani, killing four including a child on January 25. Approximately 400,000 people in Kobani remain without adequate power, water, and food despite aid convoys beginning to enter, with five children dying from cold since the blockade began January 16. 

Yazidi activists warn of potential genocide as the minority of approximately 25,000 faces sectarian violence and displacement, with hundreds forced to hide their identity in Turkish-backed areas of Afrin. Meanwhile, concerns are growing that transferring IS detention facilities to Syrian government control could enable extremist regrouping. The New Humanitarian

GAZA

UNICEF launches drive for out-of-school children – UNICEF announced it will scale up education access from current 135,400 children in 110 learning spaces to 336,000 by end of 2026, aiming for all school-age children back in formal learning by 2027. 

The agency delivered over 4,400 recreational kits and 240 school-in-a-carton kits in recent days, with total deliveries expected to exceed 11,000 kits by week's end and nearly 7,000 more in pipeline. This follows nearly two years of restrictions that prevented education materials from entering Gaza, where over 90% of schools are damaged or destroyed and 60% of children lack access to in-person learning. TRT World, Anadolu Agency