--- title: Ayşe Aykaç slug: ayse-aykac-63b60 url: /detay/ayse-aykac-63b60 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Ayşe Aykaç type: biography categories: - name: Intelligence, Security, and Defense slug: istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar url: /kategori/istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler - name: Biography And Autobiography slug: biyografi-ve-otobiyografi url: /kategori/biyografi-ve-otobiyografi tags: - CivilResistance - DemocracyStruggle - ConstitutionalOrder - SocialMemory - Cengelkoy - 15July - Martyrs - Patriotism - Martyr - Bosphorus author: Gözde Cabadak created_at: 2026-07-10T16:42:19.870285+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-10T16:42:19.870295+03:00 --- # Ayşe Aykaç ## KURE Information Cards ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/10/8nqU2WaKoDl0AjXJBfsNVW58dlT9FvOa.png) *Ayşe Aykaç* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date of Birth | 15 September 1972 | | Place of Birth | Kastamonu | | Date of Martyrdom | 15 July 2016 | | Place of Martyrdom | Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) | | Profession | Housewife | | Spouse | Mustafa Aykaç | ## Article Content [Ayşe Aykaç](/en/detay/ayse-aykac-986e2/llms.txt), during the [military coup attempt on 15 July 2016](/en/detay/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi-8febf/llms.txt), took to the streets to defend the democratic constitutional order and was martyred as a result of an armed attack carried out by coup elements at the [Boğaziçi Köprüsü](/en/detay/15-temmuz-sehitler-koprusu-2aac0/llms.txt). [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvLK2L7PnW4) *Bir Hilal Uğruna 15 Temmuz 78.Bölüm - Ayşe Aykaç (TRT Nostalji)* ### Early Life and Family Structure Ayşe Aykaç was born on 15 September 1972 in Kastamonu. She lived her life in the Çengelköy neighborhood of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district and continued her life as a homemaker. From her twenty-seven-year marriage to Mustafa Aykaç, she had four children. Known in her social circle for her generosity, Aykaç took on active roles in a social aid association aimed at supporting those in need. Those close to her and her family described her as generally reserved and home-oriented, preferring not to venture out frequently in her daily routine.[^1] ### The Night of 15 July and Preparation Upon hearing news of the coup attempt on the night of 15 July 2016, Ayşe Aykaç began preparing at home by fulfilling her religious duties. It is reported that she performed ablution, prayed, and recited the Qur’an. Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call urging the public to take to the streets, she decided to go out to defend the constitutional order and the survival of the state. Despite her husband Mustafa Aykaç’s insistence that she remain at home with the children while he went alone, she remained resolute in joining the resistance. She reconciled with her children at home and left with her husband.[^2] ### Civil Resistance at the Boğaziçi Köprüsü The Aykaç couple reached the Altunizade area in their own vehicle but were forced to complete the rest of the journey on foot due to traffic and security restrictions. Ayşe Aykaç, positioned among the front rows of the large crowd that gathered at the Boğaziçi Köprüsü, stood in front of the barricade erected by coup soldiers at the bridge entrance. During the attack by coup elements on civilians using tanks and long-barreled weapons, Aykaç was directly within the targeted group. During this assault, a bullet entered her arm and lodged in her chest.[^3] ### Medical Intervention and Martyrdom Ayşe Aykaç, who is reported to have recited the Shahada in her husband’s arms immediately after being shot, was transported to the hospital within approximately ten minutes with the help of bystanders. Despite about an hour of intensive medical efforts and rescue attempts, she succumbed to her severe injuries caused by the bullet that struck her chest. Ayşe Aykaç is recorded as one of the female civilian martyrs of the [15 July coup attempt](/en/detay/july-15-coup-attempt-a2712/llms.txt).[^4] ### Burial and Preservation of Her Memory Following a funeral ceremony, Ayşe Aykaç’s body was laid to rest in Çengelköy, where she resided. To honor her act of civil resistance and immortalize her name, an educational institution in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district was named “Şehit Ayşe Aykaç Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi”.[^5] ## Academic Sources and References 1. 15 July Heroes. "Ayşe Aykaç." Accessed July 9, 2026. http://www.15temmuzkahramanlari.com/tr/sehitler/ayse-aykac/531991 2. 15 July Martyrs. "Ayşe Aykaç." Accessed July 9, 2026. https://15temmuzsehitleri.com/tr/sehitlerimiz-111 3. T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı. "Ayşe Aykaç." Accessed July 9, 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/ayse-aykac/biyografi 4. TRT Nostalji. "Bir Hilal Uğruna 15 Temmuz 78. Bölüm - Ayşe Aykaç." YouTube. Accessed July 9, 2026. 5. Yeni Şafak. "Ayşe Aykaç." Accessed July 9, 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/ayse-aykac-kisi-detay ## Citations [^1]: Yeni Şafak. "Ayşe Aykaç." Erişim Tarihi 9 Temmuz 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/ayse-aykac-kisi-detay [^2]: 15 Temmuz Kahramanları. "Ayşe Aykaç." Erişim Tarihi 9 Temmuz 2026. http://www.15temmuzkahramanlari.com/tr/sehitler/ayse-aykac/531991 [^3]: 15 Temmuz Şehitleri. "Ayşe Aykaç." Erişim Tarihi 9 Temmuz 2026. https://15temmuzsehitleri.com/tr/sehitlerimiz-111 [^4]: T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı. "Ayşe Aykaç." Erişim Tarihi 9 Temmuz 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/ayse-aykac/biyografi [^5]: Yeni Şafak. "Ayşe Aykaç." Erişim Tarihi 9 Temmuz 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/ayse-aykac-kisi-detay