GENEVA/ISTANBUL

A Turkish activist aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza said the civilian aid convoy came under dozens of drone attacks on Tuesday, with some dropping chemical powders directly onto vessels and others releasing sound bombs nearby.

Huzeyfe Kucukaytekin, who joined the flotilla from Bosnia and Herzegovina, told Anadolu that the convoy—launched to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza—was targeted by drones in the early hours of Sept. 24.

According to Kucukaytekin, surveillance drones had been flying over the flotilla for several days, but on Sept. 23 in the evening hours, they began appearing earlier than usual. The first attack occurred around 1.30 a.m. (Sept. 24), when two vessels were hit with unidentified chemical powders.

“In response, the lead ships slowed down while those behind sped up to regroup the convoy,” he said. “Right after that, dozens of drones launched successive attacks.”

“Some of the drones attacked ships directly, while others dropped sound bombs nearby. There were deliberate attempts to damage the sails of the sailing vessels in particular,” Kucukaytekin said.

“We believe (the attackers) had a list showing who was on which ship. They launched three consecutive strikes on certain vessels, especially those carrying members of parliament, in an attempt to damage their sails.”

Some ships escaped unscathed; however, Kucukaytekin said the attacks continued until around 7 a.m., when the last drones were seen retreating.

Unknown substance under investigation

No one was injured in the assaults, Kucukaytekin said, though one ship was hit by a balloon-like device that released an unknown powder. “One of these hit a friend of ours in the face, and their condition is now being monitored,” he explained, referring to the ship, the Conscience.

On May 2, the MV Conscience, a ship belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and transporting aid to Gaza, was attacked by drones while in international waters near Malta, causing a fire and structural damage.

“This is because, in previous drone attacks, the effects of these chemical-based powders only began to appear two to three days later,” he said, referring to the MV Conscience.

Kucukaytekin stressed that the Global Sumud Flotilla is an entirely civilian initiative and said the group had repeatedly called on the UN to provide protection.

Flotilla continues its mission

He noted that Italy has reportedly deployed a naval vessel to support the flotilla and praised Rome as one of the strongest backers of the effort.

"Even while the attacks were happening, we kept going. When the attacks started, the flotilla gathered together because we had been a bit spread out. We are still moving forward, with no stops. The two ships we mentioned have some sail damage, and they are being repaired. We continue on our way."

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Greece to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The drone attacks occurred within the Greek area of SAR responsibility.