Gülşah Güler was born in November 1992 in the Kırıkhan district of Hatay and served as a deputy commissioner within the Security Organization. After graduating from the Painting Teaching Department at Gazi University, she received training at the Police Academy and was assigned to operational units under the Directorate of Special Operations in Ankara’s Gölbaşı district. The coup attempt on 15 July 2016 resulted in a bomb attack on the Gölbaşı Special Operations Directorate complex where she was on duty, leading to her death at the age of 24. Her body was laid to rest on 18 July 2016 at the Kırıkhan District Cemetery following an official ceremony held in her hometown of Kırıkhan, Hatay.

Gülşah Güler was born in November 1992 in the Kırıkhan district of Hatay. One of four children of Emine Güler, her childhood years were spent moving between Ankara and Hatay due to her father’s professional activities. She began her primary education at Baldudak Primary School in Ankara and continued her studies at Zafer Primary School in Kırıkhan (now Şehit Gülşah Güler Kindergarten). After completing her secondary education at Kırıkhan High School, she began developing technical skills in visual arts. To prepare for higher education in painting instruction, she attended private art courses and preparatory programs in Antakya to build her artistic foundation.^【1】

Güler completed her higher education at the Painting and Craft Teaching Department of the Faculty of Education at Gazi University. During her three years of university studies in Ankara, she continued her academic work and further developed her painting abilities at an academic level.^【2】

During her fourth year at Gazi University, Güler took the Police Academy entrance examinations and passed, allowing her to simultaneously continue her studies at both institutions. During weekdays she attended university classes, and on weekends she participated in training at the Police Academy. In 2014, she graduated from both institutions. She completed her training at the Police Academy ranked among the top 30 candidates ^【3】; although this ranking granted her the right to choose her preferred unit, she opted for the Special Operations branch, an operational field. ^【4】

^{Gülşah Güler} (Those Who Could Not Fit in the Coffin)

After completing her Special Operations training, Güler finished at the top of her cohort among female cadets. During her training, she successfully passed physical endurance tests and operational techniques and also received specialized marksmanship instruction, gaining expertise in this field. She actively participated in operations in the Sur district of Diyarbakır, playing a key role in evacuating civilians to safe zones during these missions.^【5】

On 15 July 2016, Güler was on duty at the Special Operations Directorate in Ankara’s Gölbaşı district with the rank of deputy commissioner. Following news of the coup attempt, she joined operational preparations. That same night, she was killed at her post during a bombing attack carried out by F-16 fighter jets on the complex. Shortly before the attack, in her final phone call with her family, she emphasized that the phone line must remain clear due to the high level of activity at her duty station.^【6】

^{Gülşah Güler’s Funeral Ceremony} (Republic of Hatay Governorship)

Gülşah Güler’s body was transferred to her hometown of Kırıkhan, Hatay on 18 July 2016. A funeral prayer, led by Hatay Provincial Mufti Hamdi Kavillioğlu after the noon prayer at Kırıkhan Grand Mosque, was attended by the Governor of Hatay, regional members of parliament, civil and military officials, and a large crowd of citizens. Following the ceremony, her body was laid to rest at the Kırıkhan District Cemetery amid prayers and salutes. The Turkish flag draped over her coffin was presented by the Governor of Hatay to her father.^【7】

^{Gülşah Güler’s Memorial Room} (Anadolu Agency)

Following her martyrdom, Gülşah Güler’s name was officially commemorated by naming a primary school in Kırıkhan after her, in addition to her alma mater. Her family preserves her personal belongings—including her uniform, operational equipment, green beret, and paintings—in a dedicated room in their home. Family members have continued to honor her memory by naming their newborn nephew after her.^【8】