Kurds Appeal to Elon Musk for Starlink as Kobane Goes Dark

Kurds in the Syrian city of Kobane are calling on Elon Musk to provide access to Starlink, the satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, as communications remain restricted across parts of northeast Syria.

Residents say the ongoing blackout has severed their ability to communicate with the outside world, limiting access to information, emergency coordination, and basic digital services.

The shutdown includes widespread disruptions to internet connectivity and electricity, affecting daily life for civilians and hampering businesses, humanitarian coordination, and media coverage.

Kobane, which gained global recognition for its resistance against ISIS in 2014, now faces renewed isolation as communication infrastructure remains constrained under broader security controls in the region.

Local residents argue that cutting connectivity prevents their situation from being documented or heard internationally. Civil society groups have warned that prolonged communication restrictions increase humanitarian risks, particularly in areas already strained by displacement, limited resources, and instability.

Starlink has previously been used in regions facing government-imposed internet shutdowns, including during protests in Iran, where satellite connectivity helped bypass restrictions. However, the service is not officially available in Syria, and access would require regulatory approval and specialized equipment.