Turkish Air Force Martyrs' Monument (Damascus)

Turkish Aviation Martyrs' Monument (Damascus) is a monument and cemetery site containing the graves of the first martyrs of Turkish aviation: Captain Mehmet Fethi Bey, First Lieutenant Sadık Bey, and Second Lieutenant Nuri Bey. It is located within the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the capital of Syria, adjacent to the Tomb of Saladin. These three Ottoman officers lost their lives in accidents during the Istanbul–Alexandria flight mission of 1914 and were buried in this site following funeral ceremonies held in Damascus.

Location and Spatial Features

The Turkish Aviation Martyrs' Monument is situated within the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria. The cemetery area is located next to the Tomb of Saladin. This location is recognized as one of the significant visitation sites in the vicinity of the Umayyad Mosque, a major historical and religious center of Damascus. Today, it remains one of the sites visited by those who come to the mosque.

Due to housing the graves of the first martyrs of Turkish aviation, the monument and cemetery area hold the status of a historical commemorative site.

Istanbul–Alexandria Flight Mission and Historical Context

In February and March of 1914, the Ottoman State organized a flight mission from Istanbul to Egypt. The mission was planned as a flight beginning in Istanbul and extending through Ottoman territories in Anatolia and the Middle East to reach Alexandria.

Two aircraft participated in the mission. The Bleriot-type aircraft named “Muavenet-i Milliye” carried Pilot Captain Mehmet Fethi Bey and observer First Lieutenant Sadık Bey, while the Deperdussin-type aircraft named “Prens Celalettin” carried Pilot Second Lieutenant Nuri Bey and observer Captain İsmail Hakkı Bey.

The aircraft took off consecutively on 8 February 1914 following a ceremony in Istanbul and proceeded along a route covering various cities in Anatolia and the Middle East.

Turkish Aviation Martyrs

Accidents and the First Turkish Aviation Martyrs

Two separate aircraft accidents during the mission resulted in the deaths of the first martyrs of Turkish aviation.

On 27 February 1914, the aircraft heading toward Jerusalem crashed near the Sea of Galilee, killing Pilot Captain Mehmet Fethi Bey and observer First Lieutenant Sadık Bey.

The crew of the second aircraft, Pilot Second Lieutenant Nuri Bey and observer Captain İsmail Hakkı Bey, continued their journey and reached Damascus, where they attended the funeral of their comrades. However, during a later stage of the mission, on 11 March 1914, the aircraft taking off from Jaffa crashed into the sea; Second Lieutenant Nuri Bey died in the accident while Captain İsmail Hakkı Bey survived.

The three Ottoman officers who lost their lives in these two accidents are recognized as the first aviation martyrs of Turkish aviation history.

Burial of the Martyrs and Formation of the Monument

The bodies of Captain Mehmet Fethi Bey and First Lieutenant Sadık Bey were brought to Damascus and buried in the cemetery near the Tomb of Saladin following a funeral ceremony held at the Umayyad Mosque.

Later, Second Lieutenant Nuri Bey, who died in the subsequent accident, was also buried in the same cemetery. Thus, the site containing the graves of these three Ottoman officers became a commemorative space dedicated to the first martyrs of Turkish aviation.

Over time, this cemetery and monument area came to be known as the “Turkish Aviation Martyrs' Monument” or “Turkish Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery.”

Current Status and Restoration Efforts

During the conflict in Syria, the cemetery area housing the Turkish Aviation Martyrs' Monument in Damascus gradually deteriorated. Subsequently, restoration and maintenance of the monument were carried out by Turkey and managed by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).

Following the restoration, the monument and cemetery area were renovated and made accessible to visitors.