The Peoples Caravan

At the border to Kobanê

Sometimes you have to take invisible paths to get where you want to arrive. While part of the caravan was held up at the Turkish border, another part disappeared for a while, only to reappear in Suruç, Bakur. Suruç is 7 kilometers from the Syrian border, 7 kilometers from the still-besieged city of Kobanê. The humanitarian situation there continues to worsen. Supplies are scarce and temperatures are low. During the so-called ceasefire, which is repeatedly broken by the Syrian army, the Turkish state is currently deploying tanks and artillery to the border with Kobanê.

That is precisely why we made us on the way to Kobanê – to break the siege, to show solidarity and to defend the city of hope. The city that has already defeated IS once and was celebrated worldwide for it.

When we arrived in Suruç, we were welcomed by the local population and the DEM party with flowers, food, and hugs. We held a press conference, which was also broadcasted live on Kurdish television.

In the conference, we criticized the international community for not taking a strong enough stance on the attacks against the Kurdish population and the Democratic Self-Administration. On the contrary, there is open cooperation with the so-called transitional government and the Islamist ruler al-sharaa. This cooperation must be stopped immediately.

When we left Suruç by bus after participating in a demonstration, we were stopped and arrested by the Turkish police. They took us to Urfa in police buses. From there, we are supposed to continue on to Istanbul. It is unclear how long we will remain in deportation custody.

Despite the arrests, we did not allow ourselves to be intimidated and remained determined. We sang Kurdish songs loudly inside the police buses, so loudly that the bus driver turned on Turkish nationalist songs to drown us out. No chance. “I would die for you, Turkey,” said one of the songs. Our songs testified to life and to our common resistance. We will continue to sing, continue to fight.

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

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.

Caravan in defence of humanity reaches Pirsûs/Suruç – Press statement at the border to Kobanê

Pirsûs/Suruç / Turkey, 30 January 2026

In order to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Kobanê, and the Syrian army’s war on the region of the democratic self-administration in Syria (NES), a convoy made up of people from across the world have travelled together to stand in solidarity with the people of the beseiged city and region. Shortly before 3 p.m. local time today, approximately 30 participants in the “Caravan in Defence of Humanity” issued a press statement in the city of Pirsûs/Suruç. The city is located just a few kilometres from the Turkish-Syrian border, directly opposite the besieged and attacked city of Kobanê. The statement was made in connection with a large demonstration that took place.

“I joined the Caravan from France. Now I am glad that we have reached the Syrian border after a long journey. This is the right place to express our solidarity with the people of Kobanê and to support peaceful coexistence among people. We stand in solidarity with the people who have been suffering attacks from Islamist groups and the Turkish army for many years,” emphasises Elsa, speaking directly from Pirsûs/Suruç.

The Caravan was welcomed by the DEM Party/Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party.

“For years, the people have resisted the attacks of the Islamic State and finally defeated it. Now, the Kurds are once again being abandoned by the international community. Today, Kurds around the world are rising up against these attacks and are supported by their international friends. We thank you for the international solidarity with Rojava and the Kurdish people and welcome you to Suruç,” said Ayşe Sürücü, co-chair of the DEM party in the Urfa region, which includes the city of Pirsûs/Suruç.

Just this morning, new information emerged regarding negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government. Members of the Caravan are cautious about the implementation of any agreements by the Transitional Government in Damascus. They will continue to support the people on the ground, regardless of political developments.

“We don’t trust any of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s words. We have repeatedly had hopes for peace in recent days. The ceasefires have been broken time and again by Islamist groups, and the massacres and displacements have continued. Therefore, we continue to demand political recognition of the democratic self-administration by the international community and a clear stance against the Islamist transitional government in Damascus. We also continue to call for humanitarian aid,” emphasized Ruken Doğan from Denmark on the sidelines of the press conference in Pirsûs/Suruç.

Press Contact:

Spokespeople and participants of the Caravan are available to the press for inquiries and interviews regarding the seduction. For specific information from Pirsûs/Suruç: Ruken Doğan: +45 276 09072 Caravan Spokesperson: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Rejected at the Turkish border

Yesterday morning, we set off for the Turkish border—with flying flags and morale high. It turned out pretty much as we had expected: the border officials took our passports, made us wait, and finally turned us away. It comes as no suprise that the turkish state does not want to let us in, as with our campain we draw attention to the war in which turkey is closely involved.

At the same time, we received news from Bakur, the Kurdish part of Turkey, that a delegation of democratic youth organizations, which was also traveling as part of the Peoples Caravan, had been arrested. The friends, including several journalists, were on their way back by bus from the border town of Nusaybin, where they had accompanied the protests and documented the actions of the Turkish state. They were taken into custody pending deportation. This shows once again that the Turkish state wants to suppress critical voices and prevent media coverage.

In Turkey, hundreds of people have been arrested on the streets in recent days, mostly with reference to the restrictive assembly law and “terrorist propaganda.” In northwestern Turkey, a nurse was reportedly arrested for posting a video online in which she braided her hair as part of a protest campaign. Braiding the resistance. Resistance can take many forms.

After our protest at the Turkish border, we returned to Thessaloniki to gather our strength and get an overview of the situation. There is always a lot of organizational work to be done, a lot of media work, a lot of meetings. Even though we have now been stopped, we encourage everyone to become part of the caravan to Kobanê. The caravan is not just us. The caravan is all the people who want to defend Rojava in various ways. All the people who want to raise awareness on the situation, support the local population, provide humanitarian aid, and defend democratic values. Bijî Berxwedana Rojava!

Arrests in Turkey and Protests at the Greek-Turkish Border – The Caravan for the Defense of Humanity Continues

Thessaloniki/Ankara, January 29, 2026

To draw attention to the humanitarian situation and the war in Syria, members of the “Caravan for the Defense of Humanity” protested yesterday at the Greek-Turkish border. At the same time, members of the Caravan who were travelling from the Kurdish city of Amed (Turkish: Diyarbakir) toward the Syrian border, were detained by Turkish police.

“I travelled from Germany to the Greek-Turkish border to make it clear that Europe also bears responsibility for what is happening in Syria. It is a scandal that the German government remains silent while the Turkish military wages war in Syria in violation of international law. Now, more than ever, it must use its diplomatic relations to press for an end to the violence and an end to the attacks on the territories of the Autonomous Administration”, says Lea Bunse, who protested at the Greek-Turkish border yesterday and was herself injured in a Turkish drone strike a year ago.

At the same time another part of the Caravan, which was already in Turkey, was arrested by Turkish police. The whereabouts of the 16 detainees, among them many young people and several female journalists, are currently unknown. It is unclear whether and when they will be deported to their home countries. At the time of their arrest, they were travelling from Amed to Mardin, from where they intended to continue on to the border to Kobane.

“We will not be intimidated by this repression. The Turkish state’s stance is nothing new: time and again it sides with Islamists, restricts democratic rights, and refuses humanitarian aid”, says Livia Selmi, who joined the protest from Italy.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the city of Kobane and throughout the entire region of DAANES (Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria) continues to worsen. Basic supplies are desperately lacking, as evidenced by news reports coming out of the city in recent days. Despite the agreed-upon ceasefire, military attacks by Islamist militias and Turkey continue.

“I travelled from Hanover to stand in solidarity with the people of Kobane. The situation in the city is catastrophic: bread, water, electricity, and medicine are almost entirely unavailable. At the same time, Islamist militias, who have already committed massacres of civilians elsewhere, are attacking alongside the Turkish military”, emphasises Gesa Jonasson.

Press contact:

Spokespeople and participants of the Caravan remain available to the press for inquiries and interviews.

Caravan spokesperson: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Caravan participant Lea Bunse: +49 176 14863535

Additional spokespeople for different languages can be reached via the general press team contact number: +31 613 048 773

Karavana za zaščito človeštva se pripravlja na prehod v Turčijo

Solun, 28. januar 2026 – S karavano za zaščito človeštva več kot sto ljudi iz več kot desetih evropskih držav izraža solidarnost s prebivalstvom Demokratične avtonomne uprave severne in vzhodne Sirije (DAANES). Že več tednov je regija pod napadom islamistične prehodne vlade v Damasku, ki jo podpira turška vojska.

Karavana, ki potuje po več poteh po Evropi, je zdaj prispela v Solun. Danes udeleženci načrtujejo vstop v Turčijo in nadaljevanje poti do sirsko-turške meje v bližini mesta Kobane. Tam nameravajo podpreti lokalno prebivalstvo v uporu proti nadaljevanju obleganja in opozoriti na hudo humanitarno situacijo na terenu.

„Stojimo ob strani prebivalcem Severne in Vzhodne Sirije in podpiramo njihova prizadevanja za demokracijo, mir in svobodo. Ne smemo dopustiti, da bi ponovno živeli pod grožnjo islamistične vladavine. Braniti Rožavo pomeni braniti temeljne človeške vrednote,« je dejala Ségolène Ogier, udeleženka iz Francije.

Med leti državljanske vojne v Siriji je Demokratična avtonomna uprava severne in vzhodne Sirije (DAANES), znana tudi kot Rožava, razvila demokratični model upravljanja, ki temelji na enakosti spolov, lokalnih svetih in ekološko usmerjeni ekonomiji.

Ta sistem je omogočil mirno sobivanje različnih etničnih in verskih skupnosti, vključno s Kurdi, Arabci, Asirci, kristjani in druzi.

Mesto Kobane, ki ga zdaj oblegajo sile sirske prehodnega vlade, je leta 2014 postalo mednarodni simbol upora proti tako imenovani Islamski državi (ISIS, kurdsko: Daeš). Z napori lokalnega prebivalstva in Sirskih demokratičnih sil (SDF) je bilo mesto uspešno branjeno, Daeš je bil potisnjen nazaj in leta 2017 končno vojaško poražen.

„Ljudje, ki so pomagali osvoboditi svet ISIS-a – skupine, ki je terorizirala tudi Evropo – so ponovno zapuščeni s strani mednarodne skupnosti,“ je dejala Gesa Jonasson, ena od predstavnic Karavane.

Udeleženci kritizirajo pomanjkanje jasnega stališča evropskih vlad do oblasti v Damasku in pozivajo k političnemu priznanju Demokratične avtonomne uprave. Namesto da bi obsodila dokumentirane vojne zločine, ki jih je zagrešila sirijska prehodna vlada, je Evropa samooklicanega sirskega predsednika al Šaro sprejela kot državnega gosta.

Nenehni vojaški napadi, katastrofalne humanitarne razmere in prisilno razseljevanje civilistov s strani sirske vojske, ki jo podpira Turčija, vse bolj destabilizirajo regijo. Hkrati pa predstavljajo vse večje varnostno tveganje tudi za Evropo. Zaradi napadov je iz zaporov v Severni in Vzhodni Siriji pobegnilo že več sto zapornikov Daeš, kar vzbuja resne skrbi glede morebitnega ponovnega pojava te skupine.

Stiki za medije:

Tiskovna predstavnica karavane: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Tiskovna ekipa za evropsko karavano: +31 6130 48773

O „Karavani za zaščito človeštva“

Karavana za zaščito človeštva je samoorganizirani evropski odziv na vojno proti Demokratični avtonomni upravi Severne in Vzhodne Sirije, znani tudi kot Rožava. Udeležence Karavane združuje jasen cilj – poslati močno sporočilo solidarnosti z odporom prebivalcev Severne in Vzhodne Sirije. Karavana potuje po različnih poteh proti turško-sirski meji in obleganemu mestu Kobane.

Caravan for the Defense of Humanity Prepares to Cross into Turkey

Thessaloniki, January 28, 2026 – With the ‘Caravan for the Defense of Humanity’, more than one hundred people from over ten European countries are expressing solidarity with the population of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES). For weeks, the region has been under attack by the Islamist transitional government in Damascus, supported by the Turkish military.

Traveling along several routes across Europe, the Caravan has now reached Thessaloniki. Today, participants plan to enter Turkey and continue onward to the Syrian-Turkish border, near the city of Kobane. There, they aim to support the local population in resisting the ongoing siege and to draw attention to the severe humanitarian situation on the ground.

‘We stand with the people of North and East Syria and support their efforts for democracy, peace, and freedom. We must not allow them to once again live under the threat of Islamist rule. Defending Rojava means defending basic human values’, said Ségolène Ogier, a participant from France.

Amid the years of civil war in Syria, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), also known as Rojava, has developed a democratic governance model centered on gender equality, grassroots councils, and an ecologically oriented economy. This system has enabled peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious communities, including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Christians, and Druze.

The city of Kobane, now under siege by forces of the Syrian transitional government, became an international symbol of resistance against the so-called Islamic State in 2014. Through the efforts of the local population and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the city was successfully defended, ISIS was pushed back, and ultimately militarily defeated in 2017.

‘The people who helped rid the world of ISIS – a group that also terrorised Europe – are once again being abandoned by the international community’, said Gesa Jonasson, one of the Caravan’s spokespersons.

Participants criticise the lack of a clear stance by European governments toward the authorities in Damascus and call for political recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration. Instead of condemning documented war crimes committed by the Syrian transitional government, Europe has welcomed the self-declared Syrian president al-Sharaa as a state guest.

The ongoing military attacks, the catastrophic humanitarian conditions, and the forced displacement of civilians by the Syrian army, supported by Turkey, are increasingly destabilizing the region. At the same time, they pose a growing security risk for Europe. As a result of the attacks, hundreds of ISIS detainees have already escaped from prisons in North and East Syria, raising serious concerns about a possible resurgence of the group.

This press release is also available in: Slovenian, German

Press Contacts

Caravan Spokesperson:
Gesa Jonasson
+49 163 143 9287

Additional spokespersons in various languages can be reached via the general press team:
+31 6130 48773

About the ‘Caravan for the Defense of Humanity’

The ‘Caravan for the Defense of Humanity’ was formed in response to escalating attacks on the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, also known as Rojava. Participants from across Europe have come together to send a strong message of solidarity with the local population and their resistance. Over the past few days, more than one hundred people from over ten countries have joined the initiative. Traveling along multiple routes, the Caravan is making its way toward the besieged city of Kobane at the Turkish–Syrian border.

A day in Thessaloniki

Day V

Today we startet our day with a general assembly to determine our next steps. The first big meeting of the day showed us once again how important it is to come together. Thanks to all the friends for their strong words!

Later we got invited by some friends from Thessaloniki to have lunch together. We spent some time close to the seaside to have food, get to know eachother and prepare for the demonstration in the evening. The place we were having lunch at is a former school that got closed because of damages to the building. The locals fought for the school to be reopened and after the state denied it, it was squatted and is now a Social Center. There is a very diverse self-organized program from dancing classes to language classes and open assemblies.

In the evening we were taking to the streets with 200 people! We had a loud and powerful demonstration and danced a lot. You can check out our videos and footage to get an impression, too.

Back in the hostel, we took the spirit forward playing the guitar and singing the newly composed caravan song. This spirit we will take onto the streets in the next days and on the road tomorrow!

Stay tuned & good night!

Join the peoples caravan by plane!

Let’s go to Northern Kurdistan!

While hundreds of peace activists from the “Peoples Caravan to Defend Humanity” from various countries are currently continuing their journey through Europe by car and their numbers are steadily growing, we hereby call on you: Join the caravan by plane! Fly to Bakûr (Northern Kurdistan), in the east of the Turkish state! Don’t look away, but travel to the Turkish-Syrian border!

We, various organizations from Europe, call on youth, women, artists, journalists, peace activists, and members of international and humanitarian organizations to fly to Bakûr as soon as possible. Support the resistance in Northern Kurdistan, which is turning against the war and protesting for the immediate opening of the borders for a humanitarian corridor.
Be part of bringing the powerful spirit of the people to Europe and the world through media coverage, so that more people there will hold the states accountable! Because Turkey, Europe, and the entire West support this war, and they will do nothing unless they are forced to by pressure from below.

The caravan will travel to Bakûr and Kobanê by car and plane. The people of Bakûr have been demonstrating constant resistance to colonialism and oppression for decades.

Whether in the mountains or in the cities, society knows how resistance against occupation works and how to make it successful.

Join the caravan to Kobanê and support the protests in Kurdistan!

Contact
Are you thinking about traveling or do you already have concrete plans? Contact “@karavannorth.11” via Signal or send an email to KobaneCaravan@proton.me!

Two Germans injured in Syria join caravan to Kobane

Thessaloniki, 27 January 2026 – German peace activists Lea Bunse and Jakob Rihn have joined the ‘Caravan in Defence of Humanity’ campaign. Both were injured a year ago during the civilian defence of the Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates River in North and East Syria (NES) by Turkish drone attacks. Now they want to travel to the Turkish-Syrian border to provide medical assistance and draw attention to the alarming shortage of supplies in northern Syria.

Lea Bunse, an environmental activist from the Heilbronn district, and Jakob Rihn, a physiotherapist from Brandenburg, were already part of the peace vigil at the Tişrîn Dam in January last year. At that time, there were heavy attacks on the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) by Islamist militias, supported by the Turkish army. 22 people were killed and more than 200 injured.

‘We have experienced first-hand what it means to be injured under fire – and how difficult medical care and the humanitarian situation are in such a situation. That is why the work of the medical personnel on site is so important,’ says Lea Bunse.

At that time, thousands of people from all parts of NES came together to protect the dam as a site of critical civilian infrastructure, supplying electricity to millions of households. They risked their lives to confront the Islamist militias and drone attacks.

Bunse and Rihn were wounded in targeted drone strikes by the Turkish army on the civilian vigil. First aid for the injured was provided under extreme conditions, as ambulances and medical personnel were also targeted.

“We had to return to Germany because of our injuries. But in our hearts, we are still with the people there. Everything that is happening right now reminds us of the situation a year ago. Once again, civilians are being targeted. Once again, attempts are being made to destroy democratic coexistence among the people of Syria”, said Rihn.

By participating in the Caravan, they not only want to raise public awareness, but also provide concrete medical support. They also want to call on international aid organisations to take a clear stand against the ongoing war crimes. Together with the Kurdish Red Crescent (Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê), they also want to organise donations to support the people. They have joined forces as the ‘Medical Support Caravan’ to pursue all these causes.

Both are available for interviews and press conferences.

Press contacts:
Lea Bunse and Jakob Rihn +491639485993
Email for the Medical Support Caravan: medicalsupportcaravan@proton.me
Instagram: @Medicalvisabilitycaravan
Press team for the Europe-wide Caravan: +31 6130 48773

About the ‘Caravan in Defence of Humanity’
The aims of the international Caravan are to break the international silence in the face of the crimes committed by al-Sharaa’s Syrian Transitional Government and to send a strong message of solidarity. Its destination is the Kurdish-majority city of Kobane in Syria, which is currently under attack and siege by the military of the Islamist transitional government of the Syrian state.