--- title: Sevgi Yeşilyurt slug: sevgi-yesilyurt-18295 url: /detay/sevgi-yesilyurt-18295 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Sevgi Yeşilyurt 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 - SecurityAndDefense - Our Martyrs - SocialMemory - 15July - Patriotism - Heroism - istanbul - Martyr - Samsun author: Gözde Cabadak created_at: 2026-07-10T14:59:09.303894+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-10T14:59:09.303905+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/10/Sd6du2JGJjrFmgCfJ8iclskyZMKd2FBy.webp --- # Sevgi Yeşilyurt > Sevgi Yeşilyurt is a citizen of Türkiye who participated in the civilian resistance during the coup attempt on 15 July 2016 and was martyred on the Bosphorus Bridge. ## KURE Information Cards ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/10/kyCQIpkRUyLtePik9m0CpjnV7D17s7rg.png) *Sevgi Yeşilyurt* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date of Birth | 1 January 1966 | | Place of Birth | Samsun (Alaçam) | | Date of Martyrdom | 15 July 2016 | | Place of Martyrdom | Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) | | Profession | Accountant (Retired) | | Place of Burial | Karacaahmet Cemetery | ## Article Content Sevgi Yeşilyurt was born on 1 January 1966. Originally from the Alaçam district of Samsun, Yeşilyurt spent her life in Istanbul. In her professional career, she worked as an accountant and retired after many years of service at an accounting firm in the Eminönü district. Married, Yeşilyurt had two children: Filiz, aged 32, and Sadık, aged 29. She is described by her family and close circle as an enterprising individual with a strong sensitivity to social issues.[^1] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/10/aZsi0xlquv152lYrthAHhbIpeALIVnVU.webp) *The Mother of Sevgi Yeşilyurt (Anadolu Ajansı)* ### **The July 15, 2016 Coup Attempt and Civil Resistance** On the night of 15 July 2016, following reports of a military uprising, Sevgi Yeşilyurt left her residence around 10:00 p.m., before any official call for citizens to take to the streets. She first went to Ümraniye Square and, after assessing the situation there, proceeded to the Kısıklı area where the Presidential Residence is located. Acting through a civilian initiative against the coup attempt, Yeşilyurt set out alone toward the Bosphorus Bridge after learning that it had been closed to traffic. In a phone call with her son at 11:00 p.m. and in her final communication with her son-in-law Hüseyin Sarıhan at 02:23, she expressed her determination and sought their blessing.[^2] ### **Events at the Bosphorus Bridge and Her Death** Upon reaching the Bosphorus Bridge (currently known as the [15 July Martyrs Bridge](/en/detay/15-temmuz-sehitler-koprusu-2aac0/llms.txt)), Sevgi Yeşilyurt did not retreat despite the armed personnel on the bridge opening fire. According to eyewitness accounts, she ignored appeals from nearby citizens to lie down for their own safety and continued walking directly toward the area where tanks were stationed. During this time, she was seriously wounded by gunfire to the neck area. Transferred from the scene to Kadıköy Numune Hospital, Yeşilyurt could not be saved despite all medical efforts and died at the age of 51. Yeşilyurt is among the first civilian casualties of the events at the Bosphorus Bridge.[^3] ### **Funeral Arrangements and Preservation of Her Memory** The body of Sevgi Yeşilyurt was buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery on Sunday, 17 July 2016, following a funeral prayer held at Şakirin Mosque in Üsküdar. As Yeşilyurt holds the official status of a martyr, her name has been bestowed upon various institutions to ensure its place in public memory. In this context, an Imam Hatip middle school in the Maltepe district of Istanbul and the street in Alaçam, Samsun, where her mother resides, have both been named "Martyr Sevgi Yeşilyurt" to keep her memory alive.[^4] ## Academic Sources and References 1. 15 July Heroes of Anatolia. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Accessed July 10, 2026. http://www.15temmuzkahramanlari.com/tr/sehitler/sevgi-yesilyurt/531942 2. Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz şehidinin annesi kızının vatana sahip çıkmasının gururunu yaşıyor." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/15-temmuz-sehidinin-annesi-kizinin-vatana-sahip-cikmasinin-gururunu-yasiyor/1910991 3. Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz şehidinin annesi, hüznü ve gururu bir arada yaşıyor." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/15-temmuz-sehidinin-annesi-huznu-ve-gururu-bir-arada-yasiyor/2303948 4. Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz'un kadın kahramanları unutulmuyor." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/15-temmuzun-kadin-kahramanlari-unutulmuyor/2944563 5. T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://hafiza15temmuz.ktb.gov.tr/204-sevgi-yesilyurt 6. T.C. Presidency of Communication. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/sevgi-yesilyurt/biyografi ## Citations [^1]: T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Erişim Tarihi 10 Temmuz 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/sevgi-yesilyurt/biyografi [^2]: T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt. Erişim Tarihi 10 Temmuz 2026. https://hafiza15temmuz.ktb.gov.tr/204-sevgi-yesilyurt [^3]: 15 July Heroes of Anatolia. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Accessed July 10, 2026. [^4]: T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı. "Sevgi Yeşilyurt." Erişim Tarihi 10 Temmuz 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/sevgi-yesilyurt/biyografi