Arrest of the Caravan after Protests at the Turkish-Syrian Border – Several Germans among the Arrested

Istanbul/Hanover, January 31, 2026 – On Friday, the Caravan for the Protection of Humanity issued a statement of solidarity in the city of Pirsus/Suruç, near the Turkish-Syrian border, with the people of the besieged city of Kobanê. In the statement, it criticized the international community for supporting the Islamist interim government in Damascus and called for immediate assistance for the people in northern and eastern Syria/Rojava.

After participating in a large demonstration in Pirsus and issuing the press statement, the caravan was arrested by Turkish police in the early evening hours. A total of 29 participants of various European nationalities were arrested, including individuals from Ireland, France, England, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Among them were journalists, farmers, artisans, members of a European network against femicide, and representatives of the city partnership between Göttingen and Tirbespiyê (Syria).

At around 7 PM local time, the police stopped the caravan near Pirsus/Suruç. The official reason for the arrests is currently unavailable. The caravan members were taken by police buses to the city of Riha/Urfa. According to field reports, they were to be transferred to Istanbul and deported from Turkey.

“This is the last video from the police vehicle on the way to the deportation prison. We call on everyone to take to the streets to end the siege of Kobanê and the massacres. We want everyone to see Turkey’s involvement in this war against the Kurdish population. Let everyone raise their voice for Rojava,” said Anna Ellenberger in front of the camera in the final moments before her arrest.

As early as January 29, Turkish police arrested a group of 19 caravan members near Mêrdîn/Mardin on their way to Kobanê and deported them to Germany on January 30. Caravan participants accuse the Turkish police of serious violations, speaking of violence and torture in the deportation prison.

German Bundestag member Kassem Taher Saleh also issued a statement expressing support for the caravan.

“I call on Turkey to allow this humanitarian action and let the caravan pass. I also urge the Federal Republic of Germany to no longer turn a blind eye to the serious human rights violations committed by Islamist militias under the leadership of Al-Sharaa in northeastern Syria – and to the role played by regional actors in this,” wrote Kassem Taher Saleh.

Repression against peace activists in Turkey is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, hundreds of people have been arrested in Turkey during demonstrations in solidarity with the people of northeastern Syria. On Saturday alone, January 24, 2026, according to the “Association of Free Lawyers” (ÖHD), 95 people were detained in Istanbul during a demonstration against the siege of Kobanê. Among them was the local chairman of the DEM party, Çınar Altan.

Media Contact:

Press team of the European Caravan: +31 6130 48773

About the “Caravan for the Protection of Humanity”

The “Caravan for the Protection of Humanity” was formed in response to increasing attacks on democratic self-government in northern and eastern Syria, also known as Rojava, by many committed people across Europe. The participants of the caravan share the goal of expressing strong solidarity with the resistance of the people in northern and eastern Syria. In recent days, more than a hundred people from over ten countries have joined the caravan. It is approaching the Turkish-Syrian border via various routes, where the besieged city of Kobanê is located.