Muhammed Yılmaz (b. 1993, Gediz, Kütahya) is a Turkish soldier. He completed his primary and secondary education in Eski Gediz, then fulfilled his national service in Hakkari between 2013 and 2014. Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a tradesman before taking the Specialist Sergeant entrance examinations. After successfully passing the exams, he was accepted into the Isparta Mountain Commando School in 2018.

Muhammed Yılmaz and Children (Anadolu Ajansı)

Military Career

After completing his training at the Isparta Mountain Commando School, Muhammed Yılmaz was assigned to the 65th Mechanized Brigade in Lüleburgaz. He was later temporarily deployed to Mardin, where he served for eight months before participating in Operation Peace Spring and playing an active role in the operation.

Martyrdom

He subsequently took part in the Spring Shield (Idlib Operation) and was martyred on Thursday, 27 February 2020, during an air strike carried out by regime elements at the Balyun position in the Idlib region. At the time of his martyrdom, his rank was Specialist Private First Class.

Funeral and Commemoration

The news of his martyrdom was delivered to his family, who reside in the Yunus Emre Neighborhood of Kütahya, by Kütahya Governor Ömer Toraman, Provincial Police Chief Necmettin Koç, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Mustafa Çekiç, and officials from the Kütahya Air Enlistee Training Brigade. Soldiers draped the Turkish flag over the family home, and Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Hazırlar recited from the Qur’an and offered prayers.^【1】

Funeral of Muhammed Yılmaz (Republic of Türkiye Kütahya Governorship)

The funeral ceremony was held on 1 March 2020. The 27-year-old Yılmaz’s body was taken from the morgue of Kütahya Health Sciences University Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital and brought to the entrance of his father’s home in Yunus Emre Neighborhood. After obtaining family approval, the coffin was transported to the square in front of Ulu Camii. Following the approval, the coffin wrapped in the Turkish flag was carried to Ulu Camii for the funeral prayer.

The funeral prayer was conducted at noon by Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Hazırlar. Attendees included Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez, Kütahya Governor Dr. Ömer Toraman, AK Party Members of Parliament for Kütahya Ahmet Tan, Ceyda Çetin Erenler and İshak Gazel, MHP Member of Parliament Ahmet Erbaş, CHP Member of Parliament Ali Fazıl Kasap, Kütahya Air Enlistee Training Brigade and Garrison Commander Major General Necati Gündüz, Afyonkarahisar Reserve and Garrison Commander Major General Osman Alp, Acting Mayor of Kütahya Municipality Salih Özden, Kütahya Chief Public Prosecutor Evren Akbey, President of the First Instance Court Justice Commission Celal Yücel, DPÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Kazım Uysal, KSBÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Vural Kavuncu, Bar Association President Ahmet Atam, Deputy Governor Ali Bezirgan, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Mustafa Çekiç, Provincial Police Chief Necmettin Koç, President of the Kütahya Branch of the Turkish Association of War Wounded, Martyrs, Widows and Orphans Asım Okat, President of the Kütahya Branch of the Turkish War Veterans Association Şaban Başoğul, the martyr’s mother Hatice Yılmaz, father Hüseyin Yılmaz, siblings Emre and İbrahim Yılmaz, representatives of civil society organizations, department directors, and citizens. After the funeral prayer, Muhammed Yılmaz’s body was taken to Kütahya Air Martyrs’ Cemetery and buried.^【2】

Commemoration at the Grave of Muhammed Yılmaz (Kütahya Muftiate)

Commemorative programs have been organized in subsequent years in honor of Muhammed Yılmaz. On the anniversary of his martyrdom in 2022, a commemoration was held at his grave in Kütahya Air Martyrs’ Cemetery. The event, held after the noon prayer on Saturday, 26 February, was attended by Deputy Governor Aydın Börü, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, Provincial Police Chief Necmettin Koç, Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Demirtaş, religious officials, politicians, the martyr’s family and relatives. The program began with recitation of the Qur’an, after which Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Demirtaş offered prayers for Martyr Yılmaz and all martyrs. Additionally, during another commemoration held at Kütahya Air Martyrs’ Cemetery, prayers were offered at the grave of Specialist Sergeant Muhammed Yılmaz, who lost his life in Idlib in 2020. Attendees included Kütahya Governor Ali Çelik, Member of Parliament Ceyda Çetin Erenler, Air Enlistee Training Brigade Commander Major General Necati Gündüz, Provincial Police Chief Necmettin Koç, Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Demirtaş, the martyr’s relatives, and citizens. After religious officials recited the Qur’an, Mufti Hüseyin Demirtaş delivered a speech, and the program concluded with the prayer of the completed Qur’an recitations under the Muftiate of Kütahya’s “Gift to the Martyrs: Qur’an” project. In addition, on the anniversary of his martyrdom, a Mevlid-i Şerif and prayer program was held before the noon prayer at Merkez Güldibi Camii. After the program, during which Provincial Mufti Dr. İrfan Açık delivered a talk and offered prayers, the martyr’s family was visited at their home, where the Qur’an was recited and prayers were offered.^【3】