Freedom Convoy for Palestine protests Israel at Incirlik base in southern Türkiye

ADANA, Türkiye

Participants in a huge Freedom Convoy for Palestine, which set out from Istanbul earlier this week organized by Türkiye’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), on Sunday protested Israel’s attacks on Palestine in front of Incirlik Air Base in the southern city of Adana, where a number of US forces are stationed.

Representatives and members of civil society groups from various cities in Türkiye, as well as members of the public who support the convoy, gathered in front of the airbase, where the US Air Force 39th Air Wing Command is stationed.

The group, holding Turkish and Palestinian flags, chanted slogans against Israel and the US, protesting the attacks. The police stepped in when some protesters broke the barricades, trying to enter the airbase.

Bulent Yildirim, the group’s head, said in a speech that there were protests against the attacks on Gaza all over Europe and the US, adding that he hopes to see more demonstrations like this.

In his speech, Yildirim warned protestors to refrain from trying to enter the base.

“Do not clash with the police. The police are as concerned about Gaza as you are,” he said.

Before and during the rally, some protesters tried to enter Incirlik by throwing stones, bottles, and fireworks. The police tried to block them with pressurized water and tear gas.

Yildirim was one of those affected by the tear gas.

After the press statement was read out, some protestors in the group left the area, while others continued their protests.

The freedom convoy, made up of thousands of people adorned with Turkish and Palestinian flags, arrived at Incirlik Air Base on Sunday from various cities of Türkiye to protest the attacks on Palestine.

• Bulent Yildirim
• Humanitarian Relief Foundation
• Incirlik Air Base