1993 Bingöl Massacre

The 1993 Bingöl Massacre refers to the killing of 33 unarmed and unguarded soldiers on May 24 1993 along the highway between Bingöl and Elazığ, who were being transported by civilian buses when they were ambushed and executed by PKK terrorists. This event had a profound impact on both public opinion and state institutions in the history of the Republic of Türkiye and marked a critical turning point in terms of security policy and counterterrorism strategies at the time.

The massacre occurred while the soldiers, who had just completed their basic training and were being transferred to experienced units in Bingöl, were being transported by civilian buses without weapons or protection. PKK terrorists blocked the Bingöl–Elazığ highway at the Bilaloğlu Village location, stopped the buses, separated the passengers, and took the 33 unarmed soldiers to a wooded area where they were shot. Some civilians traveling in vehicles in the area were also taken hostage, while others were affected in various ways.

This incident is recorded as one of the bloodiest attacks by the PKK against unarmed security personnel outside direct military targets. In the aftermath, widespread grief swept across Türkiye, received extensive coverage in the national press, and triggered intense public debate over state security measures and troop transportation methods. Despite the years that have passed, the massacre continues to be kept alive in collective memory through annual commemoration ceremonies.

Historical and Political Background

The 1990s were a period of intense political upheaval and escalating armed conflict in the history of the Republic of Türkiye. During these years, particularly in Southeastern Anatolia, the PKK’s armed activities intensified, with village roads, farmlands, garrisons, and security force convoys frequently targeted. The organization’s strategy was based on weakening the mobility of security forces, establishing control over rural areas, and challenging central authority.

It is notable that starting especially in 1992, the PKK increased its attacks against civilians, teachers, and unarmed security personnel. During this period, the organization no longer limited itself to military targets but aimed to establish psychological dominance through attacks on public officials and transportation routes. The year 1993 constituted a critical threshold in this regard. Early in the same year, President Turgut Özal’s initiatives for a peaceful resolution were quickly replaced by large-scale military operations and mutual escalation.

The Bingöl Massacre on May 24 1993 is regarded as one of the most violent manifestations of this tense atmosphere. Just weeks before the massacre, the political uncertainty created by President Özal’s death on May 16 1993 may have been perceived by the PKK as a new opportunity. It is no coincidence that, alongside the organization’s leaders’ statements suggesting they would halt talks with the Turkish state, attacks in the region intensified during this period.

Transportation of personnel along the Bingöl–Elazığ route was a common practice at the time. However, the state’s decision to transport unarmed and unprotected soldiers by civilian buses without convoys or escorts during a period of such intense PKK threat was later heavily criticized by both security units and political authorities.

Course of the Incident

In May 1993, 33 soldiers who had completed their basic training were being transported by civilian buses from Elazığ to Bingöl to be assigned to experienced units. The transfer was carried out not by military vehicles or protected convoys but via civilian transport and without weapons. This situation was recorded as a serious security vulnerability in an environment where roadblocks and attacks were well known during those dates.

On the morning of May 24 1993, as the bus convoy was heading toward Bingöl, it was blocked near Bilaloğlu Village in the Genç district of Bingöl by PKK terrorists. The militants stopped the buses, identified the soldiers among the passengers, and separated them. Some civilian passengers were released while others were taken captive; the soldiers were forcibly removed from the buses. The PKK units in the area executed their pre-planned operation by taking the 33 soldiers to a wooded area.

It was determined that after their hands were tied, the soldiers were executed by firing squad. Witness testimonies, including those of the bus drivers and some passengers, corroborated these accounts. These testimonies indicated that the militants acted calmly and in an organized manner, confirming that the attack was not spontaneous but premeditated. The area where the massacre occurred was a rural zone inaccessible to security forces.

After the massacre, security forces arrived at the scene and were able to recover the soldiers’ bodies. The corpses were sent to their hometowns following forensic procedures and buried. News of the incident quickly gained widespread coverage in the national media, generating significant political and social impact.

Political and Military Reactions

The 1993 Bingöl Massacre deeply affected both political authorities and the Turkish Armed Forces; the statements, decisions, and public assessments that followed triggered a broad response. Upon learning of the massacre, the government and the Presidency of the Republic strongly condemned the act and pledged that the perpetrators would be brought to justice as quickly as possible.

The Prime Minister and cabinet members emphasized that the victims were unarmed and defenseless, stressing that this act was not merely an attack on security forces but an assault on the entire Turkish nation. In parliamentary debates, both ruling and opposition parties expressed unified condemnation and called for national unity against such attacks. However, the failure to implement security measures during the transport, particularly criticized by opposition MPs, led to claims that the massacre could have been prevented.

The Turkish Armed Forces immediately launched a large-scale operation in the region following the massacre, conducting intensive pursuit operations in rural areas to apprehend the responsible PKK groups. Official statements from the General Staff declared that the act would not be forgiven and that perpetrators would be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Additionally, new measures regarding troop transportation and personnel security were introduced.

Military and political officials personally attended the funeral ceremonies and commemorative programs held after the massacre, demonstrating symbolic support to reassure the public and offer solidarity to the families of the martyrs. The massacre was not only a turning point in the security policies of that era but also a critical milestone in shaping internal security strategies in subsequent years.

Judicial Process and Perpetrators

The judicial and military investigations launched after the 1993 Bingöl Massacre involved a comprehensive struggle encompassing both criminal justice and intelligence efforts to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. The PKK claimed responsibility for the massacre, directly attributing it to its armed elements and acknowledging that the operation was carried out under organizational orders.

The Republic of Türkiye state conducted intensified operations in rural areas around Bingöl and its surroundings, resulting in the neutralization and capture of some organization members. Several individuals alleged to be direct perpetrators were later either neutralized or apprehended by security forces in subsequent operations. However, no comprehensive public report confirms that all those responsible for the massacre were fully identified and prosecuted within a legal framework.

One of the names long associated in public opinion as the mastermind of the massacre is Şemdin Sakık, a PKK leader at the time. After being brought to Türkiye in 1998, Sakık stated in his testimony that the execution of the 33 soldiers was carried out with the direct knowledge of Abdullah Öcalan and that he himself had participated in the planning and logistics of the operation. While Sakık’s statements provided insights into the organization’s command structure, not all of them were fully corroborated by the courts. Abdullah Öcalan, during his interrogation in 1999, did not admit to directly ordering the massacre but indirectly acknowledged awareness of the actions carried out by PKK units in the region.

The judicial process later merged with other cases, particularly the Ankara DGM trial of Öcalan and the court proceedings in which Şemdin Sakık testified as a witness, keeping the legal dimensions of the 1993 Bingöl Massacre on the agenda. However, decades after the event, public debate continues over whether justice has been fully served. This situation has led the massacre to be remembered not only as a security tragedy but also as a legal failure in Türkiye’s collective memory.

Social Impact and Memory

The 1993 Bingöl Massacre was a watershed moment that left deep marks not only at the military and political levels but also in the social memory of Türkiye. Upon the news of the massacre, widespread sorrow and anger erupted across Türkiye, especially in the cities of the victims’ families. People from various segments of society issued statements condemning the brutality and organized mass demonstrations. These reactions transformed the massacre from a mere terrorist act into a “national mourning.”

The families of the martyrs continued their pursuit of justice for many years, frequently expressing the view that the perpetrators had not been fully prosecuted and that political authorities had not adequately addressed the security failures. Many families filed administrative and legal petitions demanding clarification of the responsibility for transporting their sons unarmed, but often received insufficient responses. This situation contributed to a sense of injustice and fused grief with a collective sense of victimhood.

Media outlets extensively covered the events immediately after the massacre; the manner of the attack, the security lapses, and images from the funeral ceremonies had a profound impact on society. However, over time, the massacre’s visibility in the media diminished, and from the 2000s onward, the Bingöl Massacre became primarily remembered only on its anniversary. Nevertheless, some civil society organizations, particularly foundations and associations representing the families of the martyrs, continue to make efforts through annual commemorative programs to ensure the event is not forgotten.

Bar associations, human rights organizations, and certain academic circles have emphasized that the massacre must be discussed not only as a terrorist act but also in its legal, political, and sociological dimensions, arguing that the institutions responsible for ensuring the safety of these soldiers during their official duties must also be examined. These efforts have positioned the Bingöl Massacre in Türkiye’s collective memory not merely as a trauma but as a historical event requiring accountability.

Commemoration Ceremonies and Memorials

In the years following the 1993 Bingöl Massacre, the event has gained an important place not only in official reports and news bulletins but also in social memory. To preserve this memory and honor the martyrs, commemorative events have been organized in various provinces, particularly in Bingöl, where ceremonies have gradually become institutionalized and traditional.

Annual ceremonies held on May 24 at the Martyrs’ Monument in Bingöl hold significance at both local and national levels. These commemorative programs include the individual recitation of the martyrs’ names, prayers, and moments of silence at their graves, forming the core rituals of the event. The ceremonies are attended by the families of the martyrs, the Bingöl Governorship, provincial protocol, Turkish Armed Forces personnel, civil society organizations, and citizens.

Bingöl Martyrs Are Remembered (Bingöl Municipality)

The Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument, constructed near the site of the massacre, particularly around Bilaloğlu Village, has become one of the symbolic centers of the event. The monument is more than just an architectural structure; it is a space of memory representing one of the most painful events in Türkiye’s recent history. The symbolic graves incorporated into its design not only keep the names of the 33 martyrs alive but also draw attention to the social and historical gravity of the event. Built in 2012, the monument has since become an important part of the collective memory of both the martyrs’ families and the local population.

Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument (Turkish Martyrs' Estates Development Foundation)

A frequently used phrase during the ceremonies is “We have not forgotten, we will not let you be forgotten.” This slogan not only keeps alive the memory of the tragedy but also aims to foster social awareness to prevent similar events from occurring again. Additionally, in some cities, parks, streets, and schools named after the martyrs serve as symbolic gestures to preserve their memory.

Commemorative activities for the Bingöl Massacre have, over time, evolved beyond mere mourning to become part of the broader pursuit of justice and historical reckoning; the event has firmly established itself in Türkiye’s collective memory in the context of state-citizen relations, security policies, and public accountability.

Martyrs of the Bingöl Attack

1. İbrahim Erten

Birth Year – Hometown: September 1 1973 – Konya (Harmancık Neighborhood)

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while being transported by civilian bus to Bingöl unarmed and unguarded along the 10th kilometer of the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His mother Ümmü Erten and father İsa Erten reside in Harmancık Neighborhood, Meram district of Konya.

Memory and Commemorations: He is annually remembered by his family on the anniversary of his martyrdom. On May 24 2024, his family was visited at home by Meram Deputy Governor Dr. Bayram Yılmaz; prayers were recited and all martyrs were honored with remembrance.

2. Mustafa Yılmaz

Birth Year – Hometown: Konya

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while being transported by civilian bus to Bingöl unarmed and in civilian clothing along the Bilaloğlu Village section of the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: No information available.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is recited annually during commemoration ceremonies in Bingöl alongside the other martyrs. He has a symbolic grave at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument.

3. Erkan Kaçar

Birth Year – Hometown: Konya, Meram

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while returning from leave and being transported by bus to Bingöl, he was forcibly removed from the vehicle at the Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His mother Münevver Kaçar stated that the people of Bingöl had no connection to the incident and expressed gratitude for the attention and support shown.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Erkan Kaçar is preserved by naming a street in Hacı Hatip Neighborhood, Kavak Municipality, Konya. His name is also recited annually during commemoration ceremonies in Bingöl alongside the other martyrs.

4. Mevlüt Özkan

Birth Year – Hometown: Konya

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while being transported by civilian bus to Bingöl, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His mother Havva Özkan is still alive and continues to honor the memory of her martyred son.

Memory and Commemorations: He was visited at home by Selçuklu Deputy Governor Sabit Kaya and staff from the Social Assistance Foundation; prayers were recited in his honor. His mother expressed satisfaction with the visit.

5. Hilmi Şahin

Birth Year – Hometown: May 5 1973 – Konya, Uluırmak Neighborhood

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while being transported by civilian bus to Bingöl along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His mother Şükriye Şahin and father Hasan Hüseyin Şahin reside in Uluırmak Neighborhood, Konya.

Memory and Commemorations: On May 24 2024, the anniversary of his martyrdom, Meram Deputy Governor Dr. Bayram Yılmaz visited his family at home, accompanied by Sultan Danışman, Director of the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation. Prayers were recited and all martyrs were honored with remembrance.

6. Ali Arar

Birth Year – Hometown: Konya, Buhara Neighborhood

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while being transported by civilian bus to Bingöl along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: No information available.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved by naming a street in Buhara Neighborhood, Selçuklu district of Konya.

7. İlyas Uyar

Birth Year – Hometown: February 1 1968 – Bozkır district, Taşbaşı Village, Konya

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private – 9th Gendarmerie Regiment Command, Bilecik (Basic Training Unit)

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to the experienced unit in Bitlis.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was among the soldiers being transferred to Bingöl after leave. At the Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, the bus was stopped by PKK terrorists; İlyas Uyar, unarmed and in civilian clothing, was removed from the bus and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers in a wooded area.

Family and Survivors: His father Mehmet Uyar and mother Hanife Uyar. No information is available regarding his marital status; he had no children.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument. His name is recited annually during the 1993 Bingöl Massacre commemoration ceremonies alongside the other martyrs. His biography and martyrdom story are documented in various digital archives.

8. Hüseyin Çelik

Birth Year – Hometown: Denizli

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling by civilian bus to his experienced unit in Bingöl along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His mother Yeter Çelik passed away on December 3 2024 and was buried at the Denizli Cemetery. No information is available regarding other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully recited annually during the May 24 commemoration ceremonies alongside his fellow soldiers.

9. Ahmet Apak

Birth Year – Hometown: April 1 1973 – Denizli

Unit and Rank: Infantry Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training in Bilecik and was being transferred eastward to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, at the Bilaloğlu Village location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists after their bus was stopped and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers. He was 20 years old at the time of the attack.

Family and Survivors: His father Mustafa Apak, after working in Germany, brought his family to join him; Ahmet received his education in Germany alongside his two sisters and later returned to Türkiye. His family proudly sent their only son to military service, but their joy was quickly replaced by unbearable grief. His father endured a difficult journey from Elazığ to Kırıkkale and then to Denizli to claim his son’s body, finally recognizing him and taking him home.

Memory and Commemorations: Ahmet Apak’s grave is located at the Denizli Martyrs Cemetery. He is remembered annually on May 24 alongside the 33 martyrs. His father Mustafa Apak’s testimonies vividly illustrate the profound impact of the massacre on families and the depth of the suffering endured.

10. Ercan Çobanoğlu

Birth Year – Hometown: Baklan district, Konak Neighborhood, Denizli

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists after their civilian bus was stopped and executed alongside 33 unarmed soldiers in a wooded area.

Family and Survivors: His father İsmail Çobanoğlu passed away at age 88 and was buried in the Konak Neighborhood cemetery of Baklan district.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully recited annually during commemoration ceremonies. His memory is also preserved in the neighborhood where his family lived.

11. Mustafa Koçanoğlu

Birth Year – Hometown: Denizli

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was abducted by PKK terrorists after their civilian bus was stopped and executed alongside 33 unarmed soldiers in a wooded area.

Family and Survivors: His father Nuri Koçanoğlu passed away in 2024.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved by naming a street in Akçeşme Neighborhood, Denizli. He also has a symbolic grave at the “33 Soldiers Martyrs Monument” located at the 13th kilometer of the Bingöl–Elazığ highway. His name is respectfully recited annually during commemoration ceremonies alongside the other martyrs.

12. Baki Umutlu

Birth Year – Hometown: Honaz district, Karateke Village, Denizli

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was one of the 33 soldiers aboard the civilian bus whose route was blocked by PKK terrorists and was executed while unarmed.

Family and Survivors: His father Kazım Umutlu passed away in 2021 due to coronavirus and was buried at Karateke Cemetery. No information is available regarding his mother or other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully recited annually during the May 24 ceremonies alongside his fellow soldiers. His name is also honored in commemorative events in Denizli.

13. Şeref Tay

Birth Year – Hometown: Acıpayam district, Dodurga Neighborhood, Denizli

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was executed alongside 33 unarmed soldiers during a PKK attack.

Family and Survivors: His mother Hatice Tay resides in Acıpayam district, Denizli.

Memory and Commemorations: On May 24 2021 and 2024, the Acıpayam Deputy Governor, Provincial Gendarmerie Command, and district protocol visited his family, followed by prayers at his martyrdom site in Dodurga Neighborhood. The name and memory of Martyr Şeref Tay are also preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument.

14. Mehmet Öztürk

Birth Year – Hometown: Denizli

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, the civilian bus on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway was stopped by PKK terrorists; Mehmet Öztürk and his fellow soldiers were removed from the bus, detained, and executed on the same day at various locations.

Family and Survivors: His brother Feridun Öztürk continues to suffer the pain of his brother’s loss and condemns all structures supporting terrorism, striving to preserve the memory of the martyrs.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Mehmet Öztürk, one of the seven soldiers from Denizli killed in the 1993 Bingöl Massacre, is respectfully recited annually during commemoration events. The Denizli Branch of the Association of War Wounded, Veterans, Widows, and Orphans maintains contact with the family, organizes memorial prayers, and preserves the martyr’s memory.

15. Hasan Gültutan

Birth Year – Hometown: Hatay

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was one of the 33 unarmed soldiers aboard the civilian bus stopped by PKK terrorists along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway and was executed.

Family and Survivors: His family was visited during Ramadan Bayram by Deputy Governor Abdullah Akdaş, District Gendarmerie Commander, Police Chief, and Director of Social Assistance. During the visit, the martyr’s memory was honored and the family was congratulated on the holiday.

Memory and Commemorations: Martyr Hasan Gültutan is named and remembered in all ceremonies honoring the 33 martyrs. His family is regularly visited by state protocol.

16. Mehmet Tura

Birth Year – Hometown: Adana

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was one of the 33 unarmed soldiers aboard the civilian bus during a PKK attack along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway and was executed.

Family and Survivors: His mother Zübeyde Tura and father Ahmet Tura. Father Ahmet Tura received treatment at Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcalı Hospital due to spinal issues. State protocol provides periodic support visits to the family.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Mehmet Tura is among the 33 Mehmetçiks who died in the 1993 Bingöl Massacre and is respectfully recited annually during ceremonies. Visits to the family preserve the memory of the martyr and reinforce feelings of loyalty.

17. Şenol Cansız

Birth Year – Hometown: Vezirköprü district, Aşağınarlı Village, Samsun

Unit and Rank: Private – Assigned to Van Provincial Gendarmerie Command

Military Status: Had completed transfer leave and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling by civilian vehicle to his unit in Van, he was martyred in an ambush set by PKK terrorists along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway.

Family and Survivors: No information is available regarding his marital status or family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is among the 33 Mehmetçiks remembered in the 1993 Bingöl Massacre and is respectfully recited annually during commemoration ceremonies.

18. Cavit Yaman

Birth Year – Hometown: 1973, Samsun

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private – Van Provincial Gendarmerie Regiment Command

Military Status: Was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 22 1993, he was executed alongside 33 unarmed Mehmetçiks during a PKK attack in Bingöl.

Family and Survivors: His mother Ayşe and father Ömer. No information is available regarding other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is respectfully recited annually during commemoration programs.

19. Nihat Odabaşı

Birth Year – Hometown: January 1 1973 – Devrekani, Kastamonu

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, at the Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was removed from the bus stopped by PKK terrorists along with other unarmed soldiers and executed in a wooded area.

Family and Survivors: His father Mahir Odabaşı. No further information is available regarding his marital status or family.

Memory and Commemorations: His body was buried in Devrekani district, Kastamonu. His name is respectfully recited annually during commemoration programs among the 33 martyrs; information about his martyrdom story is available in various digital archives.

20. Ramazan Akkaya

Birth Year – Hometown: January 1 1973 – Kastamonu

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993 (possibly miswritten as 1995 in the document), while returning from leave, he was aboard the bus whose route was blocked by PKK terrorists at the Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway; he was detained and taken to a wooded area where he was executed.

Family and Survivors: His father Amir Akkaya. No information is available regarding his marital status or other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His memory is preserved through “Şehit Ramazan Akkaya Pansiyonlu İlköğretim Okulu” and “Şehit Ramazan Akkaya Caddesi” in Pınarbaşı district, Kastamonu. His body was buried in Kastamonu. His name is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is recited annually during the May 24 ceremonies.

21. Uğur Bozacı

Birth Year – Hometown: December 1 1973 – Istanbul

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, the civilian bus he was traveling in was stopped by PKK terrorists; Uğur Bozacı was executed alongside the other 32 unarmed soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His father Ziver Bozacı. No information is available regarding his mother. No further details are available regarding his marital status or family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved by the Istanbul Martyrs and Veterans Association, listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument, and respectfully recited annually during commemoration ceremonies.

22. Ünal Kalafat

Birth Year – Hometown: Istanbul

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was executed alongside the 33 unarmed soldiers aboard the civilian bus during a PKK attack along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway.

Family and Survivors: His father Selami Kalafat. His mother died of profound grief after his body could not be recovered.

Funeral Process and Memory: Ünal Kalafat’s body remains missing 32 years after the massacre. Despite all efforts by his family, DNA tests, and court proceedings, his burial location has never been determined. It was claimed he was mistakenly given to another family and buried, but DNA tests disproved this claim.

23. Ahmet Aran

Place of Birth: Manisa

Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Date of Martyrdom: May 24 1993

Place of Martyrdom: Elazığ–Bingöl highway, Bilaloğlu Village location

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was executed alongside the 33 unarmed soldiers aboard the civilian bus during a PKK attack at the Bilaloğlu Village location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway.

Family and Survivors: Detailed information about his family is unavailable.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Ahmet Aran is preserved at the 33 Martyrs Monument located at the 13th kilometer of the Elazığ–Bingöl highway. His name is respectfully recited annually during the May 24 commemoration ceremonies.

24. Haydar Aslan

Birth Year – Hometown: Trabzon

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was aboard the civilian bus during the PKK attack along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway and was executed alongside the 33 unarmed soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His family was visited on January 19 2017 by Deputy Governor Fikret Dağ. No information is available regarding other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Haydar Aslan is among the 33 Mehmetçiks who died in the 1993 Bingöl Massacre and is preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument. His name is respectfully recited annually during commemoration ceremonies.

25. Murat Elibol

Birth Year – Hometown: Approximately 1973 – Ayvacık district, Kösedere Village, Çanakkale

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Commando Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling by civilian bus along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was one of the 33 unarmed soldiers executed during a PKK attack.

Family and Survivors: His mother Nazire Elibol. After losing her son, she endured great grief and was emotionally worn down due to her son’s grave being opened twice. The first exhumation occurred in 1993 and the second in 2000; both times, claims arose that the body had been mixed up.

Memory and Commemorations: His body was buried in Kösedere Village on June 1 1993. His grave has been frequently visited by villagers and his family since his martyrdom, and his name is preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument.

26. Aydın Kuzey

Birth Year – Hometown: Çanakkale

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private – Hakkari Provincial Gendarmerie Command

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was martyred during an armed attack by PKK terrorists at the Bingöl Central Mendo Bridge location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway. The incident occurred as part of the Bingöl Massacre in which 33 unarmed soldiers were killed.

Family and Survivors: No information is available regarding family members.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Aydın Kuzey is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully recited annually during the May 24 ceremonies alongside the other martyrs.

27. Adem Zongür

Birth Year – Hometown: 1972 – Keskin district, Barak Village, Kırıkkale

Unit and Rank: Gendarmerie Private – Experienced Unit: Hakkari, Çukurca

Military Status: Completed basic training in Çanakkale and was being transferred to the experienced unit in Hakkari/Çukurca.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling by civilian bus to his unit, he was ambushed by PKK terrorists along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway and executed alongside 32 fellow soldiers.

Family and Survivors: His father Yılmaz and mother Münevver Zongür. Adem Zongür, the only son among four siblings, was married and had a daughter named Münevver, who was 33 days old when he was martyred.

Memory and Commemorations: His body was buried at the Barak Village Cemetery in Keskin district, Kırıkkale. His name is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully remembered with prayers annually during commemoration ceremonies alongside his fellow soldiers.

28. Musa Sarıgöz

Birth Year – Hometown: January 2 1972 – Bahadırlı Village, Kadirli district, Osmaniye

Unit and Rank: Private – 34th Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Ağrı Patnos

Military Status: Completed basic training at the 59th Artillery Regiment in Elazığ and was assigned to the 34th Mechanized Infantry Regiment in Ağrı Patnos under the 8th Corps Command in Erzurum.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: After spending a week-long holiday for Ramadan Bayram in his hometown, he was returning to his unit. On May 24 1993, at the Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway, he was ambushed by a treacherous PKK attack and executed alongside 32 unarmed fellow soldiers.

Educational and Civil Life: Completed primary school in Bahadırlı Village and middle school in Kadirli center; worked in various jobs between 1986 and 1992 including furniture, restaurants, gas cylinder distribution, and salt factory.

Family and Survivors: His father Mehmet and mother Selbi Sarıgöz. He is the eldest son in the family.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is preserved at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is respectfully recited with prayers during annual commemoration programs; he is honored in his hometown of Osmaniye.

29. Murat Menteş

Birth Year – Hometown: Bolu

Unit and Rank: Private

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, he was among the 33 unarmed Mehmetçiks in civilian clothing who were executed in a treacherous ambush set by PKK terrorists along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway.

Family and Survivors: No information is available regarding his family.

Memory and Commemorations: His name is listed at the 33 Martyrs Monument along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway and is respectfully remembered with prayers during annual May 24 commemoration ceremonies. The ceremonies also include participation from veterans of the Pençe-Kilit Operation.

30. Hikmet Özdemir

Birth Year – Hometown: Hanımınçiftliği Neighborhood, Battalgazi district, Malatya

Unit and Rank: Information unavailable.

Military Status: Had completed basic training and was being transferred to an experienced unit.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 25 1993, he was executed alongside 33 unarmed soldiers in a PKK ambush along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway.

Family and Survivors: His mother Kadriye Özdemir. His father passed away before his son’s martyrdom. Hikmet Özdemir was engaged before joining the military. His mother Kadriye Özdemir lived alone for many years after his death, supporting herself with the martyr’s pension. The mother, who suffered immense grief from her son’s loss, frequently calls for unity and solidarity against terrorism and social fragmentation.

Memory and Commemorations: The name of Martyr Hikmet Özdemir has been given to a street in Hanımınçiftliği Neighborhood, Malatya. His family is visited by state officials and local administrators on commemorative days such as March 18 Martyrs Day. His mother’s words have become a symbol of both personal loss and the nation’s collective mourning.

31. Abdullah Kara

Birth Year – Hometown: January 1 1968 – Serik district, Antalya

Profession: Primary School Teacher

Educational Status: Graduate of Burdur Education College

Assigned Position: Primary School, Kavaklı Village, Genç district, Bingöl

Date and Place of Martyrdom: May 24 1993 – Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway in civilian clothing and unarmed, he was targeted and executed by PKK terrorists in an ambush alongside 33 other soldiers while performing his public duty.

Family and Survivors: His father Ahmet Kara and mother Naciye Kara. No information is available regarding other family members.

Memory and Commemorations: His body was buried in Serik Neighborhood, Muratpaşa district, Antalya. His name is listed alongside his fellow soldiers at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and holds a special place in memory as a civilian official who died while performing public service during this massacre.

32. Birol İrfan Aşkar

Birth Year – Hometown: June 8 1969 – Başmakçı district, Afyonkarahisar

Profession: Physics Teacher

Educational Status: Graduate of Gazi University Faculty of Education, Physics Teaching Department

Assigned Position: Physics Teacher, Bingöl Imam Hatip High School

Date and Place of Martyrdom: May 24 1993 – Bilaloğlu location on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: While serving his assigned position in Bingöl, on May 24 1993 at around 6:00 PM, he was aboard the civilian bus on the Elazığ–Bingöl highway when it was ambushed by PKK terrorists; he was executed while performing his public duty, unarmed and in civilian clothing.

Family and Survivors: His father Ahmet Aşkar and mother Affe Aşkar. He was unmarried at the time of his martyrdom.

Memory and Commemorations: His body was buried at the Afyonkarahisar Martyrs Cemetery. His name is listed at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is specifically remembered during annual ceremonies for his role as a teacher. He left a lasting mark in Türkiye’s memory as a public official who died while serving his duty.

33. Selahattin Aysan

Birth Year – Hometown: Isparta

Profession: Teacher

Educational Status: Information unavailable.

Assigned Position: Assigned to Çevirme Village, Genç district, Bingöl due to spousal transfer.

Condition at the Time of the Massacre: On May 24 1993, while traveling by bus with his wife to Isparta to complete his military service, he was taken hostage aboard the bus stopped by PKK terrorists along the Elazığ–Bingöl highway. He was executed alongside 33 unarmed civilians while in civilian clothing. On the day of the massacre, at around 6:00 PM, he spoke with his mother for the last time on the phone, saying he would call again upon reaching Ankara.

Family and Survivors: His mother Zehra Aysan experienced profound grief after the news of his martyrdom and continues to speak to and pray at his grave. His father died of a heart attack three months after his son’s martyrdom, unable to bear the grief. Selahattin Aysan was married; his wife was 20 days pregnant at the time. His only child, his grandson, is now 32 years old and lives with his mother.

Memory and Commemorations: His grave is regularly visited by his family. Aysan, remembered by his mother as “the only son,” is named at the Bingöl 33 Martyrs Monument and is specifically honored during annual commemoration ceremonies for his role as a teacher.