![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R75L5Z43YJHWTLYRLDA63LXAVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bd8c061bc2d04aa3a3f4d5399a75ee67c560fd00e166afd708834a43fcab34f&width=400&height=225)
The hope is for a better life away from the clutches of Bashar Al Assad's regime.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZNWVBUQRMZH7VBAP7AA3I6AIVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=16d804290e59e2f51578cc9d6e2c2e5e3080df60f932e321eabffcf6e8f591cd&width=400&height=225)
Syrians plead with local authorities to open the way for them to reach Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. All photos: Moawia Atrash for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J362AF2N4ZBK3GD3JBNF7H7CYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4090c991d901ccd123696c6ea87c71f823e7511e5c2733731bb8b70dba7e2131&width=400&height=225)
A man and his wife run towards the Syrian-Turkish border in a peace convoy called Al Salam, the organisers of which aim to enable Syrians to leave Idlib and the civil war behind for pastures new in Europe.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TTNZBQC6VRBANH437JPBIVF43U.jpg?smart=true&auth=c446b916e580a40d9535df4a07a9b3cad81904c9d61ddef73615577c5fbfd341&width=400&height=225)
People wait for permission to approach the crossing and ask that Turkey open its terminal so that they can cross into Europe and escape the scourge of war.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPXBTQLYTRFHXHI25PXN4UGZZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7047011d90edf465f8e76863ab91c08eeeb03edd2ee000ccd74a302d6e8da750&width=400&height=225)
These Syrian friends are unsure when or even if they will see each other again.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EZJNUKPZFRD57KDVT4I2B3GIC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fb364d0870cbe86c5b31fe383a52de05a776b00d84253dcc513666ce8321be8b&width=400&height=225)
The civil war in Syria has been raging for more than 11 years.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2GC2JWAMDZCGLGSUYAIBPEP5HA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7dee4ff4ab38b343d8e6604c4a840eb33353963166a722070c618e0f09ddfb58&width=400&height=225)
Thousands who want to leave head for the Bab al-Hawa crossing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HG4H3IXPKZCUNGSIF7IRIC5A5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9d0a9fb769217c9f2e5aa3838831a329622fb4db75af2d8b0067c44dbfc5e0b&width=400&height=225)
Syrians seeking asylum in Europe via Turkey demonstrate under the name of the Peace Caravan at Bab al-Hawa.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HSGYWLVUNVHAPOPZZYLAY76T2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=78dfed2da1995f20507c0bca51d1f92ecd8f4e313b50e39d3a55180778878cda&width=400&height=225)
A man, his wife and their infant child join the peace convoy.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYQO5YXFEBCFFKIMTWLHQWV73U.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea2bd15c0d05d23e1c2d161b9132ef2c5f8221b9ff09801e941555f4706e797a&width=400&height=225)
Escaping the conflict, as well as poverty and a lack of money, are the main drivers for the influx of people.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R75L5Z43YJHWTLYRLDA63LXAVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bd8c061bc2d04aa3a3f4d5399a75ee67c560fd00e166afd708834a43fcab34f&width=400&height=225)
The hope is for a better life away from the clutches of Bashar Al Assad's regime.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZNWVBUQRMZH7VBAP7AA3I6AIVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=16d804290e59e2f51578cc9d6e2c2e5e3080df60f932e321eabffcf6e8f591cd&width=400&height=225)
Syrians plead with local authorities to open the way for them to reach Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. All photos: Moawia Atrash for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J362AF2N4ZBK3GD3JBNF7H7CYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4090c991d901ccd123696c6ea87c71f823e7511e5c2733731bb8b70dba7e2131&width=400&height=225)
A man and his wife run towards the Syrian-Turkish border in a peace convoy called Al Salam, the organisers of which aim to enable Syrians to leave Idlib and the civil war behind for pastures new in Europe.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TTNZBQC6VRBANH437JPBIVF43U.jpg?smart=true&auth=c446b916e580a40d9535df4a07a9b3cad81904c9d61ddef73615577c5fbfd341&width=400&height=225)
People wait for permission to approach the crossing and ask that Turkey open its terminal so that they can cross into Europe and escape the scourge of war.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPXBTQLYTRFHXHI25PXN4UGZZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7047011d90edf465f8e76863ab91c08eeeb03edd2ee000ccd74a302d6e8da750&width=400&height=225)
These Syrian friends are unsure when or even if they will see each other again.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EZJNUKPZFRD57KDVT4I2B3GIC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fb364d0870cbe86c5b31fe383a52de05a776b00d84253dcc513666ce8321be8b&width=400&height=225)
The civil war in Syria has been raging for more than 11 years.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2GC2JWAMDZCGLGSUYAIBPEP5HA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7dee4ff4ab38b343d8e6604c4a840eb33353963166a722070c618e0f09ddfb58&width=400&height=225)
Thousands who want to leave head for the Bab al-Hawa crossing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HG4H3IXPKZCUNGSIF7IRIC5A5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9d0a9fb769217c9f2e5aa3838831a329622fb4db75af2d8b0067c44dbfc5e0b&width=400&height=225)
Syrians seeking asylum in Europe via Turkey demonstrate under the name of the Peace Caravan at Bab al-Hawa.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HSGYWLVUNVHAPOPZZYLAY76T2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=78dfed2da1995f20507c0bca51d1f92ecd8f4e313b50e39d3a55180778878cda&width=400&height=225)
A man, his wife and their infant child join the peace convoy.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYQO5YXFEBCFFKIMTWLHQWV73U.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea2bd15c0d05d23e1c2d161b9132ef2c5f8221b9ff09801e941555f4706e797a&width=400&height=225)
Escaping the conflict, as well as poverty and a lack of money, are the main drivers for the influx of people.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R75L5Z43YJHWTLYRLDA63LXAVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bd8c061bc2d04aa3a3f4d5399a75ee67c560fd00e166afd708834a43fcab34f&width=400&height=225)
The hope is for a better life away from the clutches of Bashar Al Assad's regime.