Six brave soldiers martyred in Claw-Lock Operation, Turkey mourns their ultimate sacrifice

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) reported that 6 soldiers were martyred and 1 soldier was wounded in a clash with terrorists trying to infiltrate a base area in the Claw-Lock Operation (Pençe-Kilit Harekatı) area in northern Iraq. Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler announced the identities of the 6 martyred soldiers.

In the condolence message published by Minister Güler, it was stated, "Our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred on December 23, 2023. On behalf of myself and the members of the Ministry of National Defense, I extend condolences to the grieving families and our noble nation; may God have mercy on our heroic martyrs."

The identities of the martyred soldiers are as follows:

Martyr Infantry Specialist Sergeant: Abdulkadir İyem

Martyr Infantry Specialist Sergeant: Ahmet Arslan

Martyr Contracted Infantry Private: Semih Yılmaz

Martyr Contracted Infantry Private: Cebrail Dündar

Martyr Contracted Infantry Private: Kemal Aslan

Martyr Contracted Infantry Private: Enis Budak

INFANTRY SPECIALIST SERGEANT ABDULKADIR IYEM MARTYRED

The family of Infantry Specialist Sergeant Abdulkadir İyem, who was martyred in the clash, was informed of his martyrdom in Gaziantep. The martyr İyem's (25) parents, Ayişe and Mehmet İyem, living in the Eyüpsultan neighborhood of the Şehitkamil district, were informed of the tragic news by officials. The martyr İyem, one of 8 siblings and unmarried, will be buried in Gaziantep.

INFANTRY SPECIALIST SERGEANT AHMET ARSLAN MARTYRED

The family of Infantry Specialist Sergeant Ahmet Arslan (25), who was martyred in the clash, was informed of his martyrdom in the Sorgun district of Yozgat. Married and a father of one, Arslan's family in Agahefendi neighborhood was visited by Sorgun District Governor İhsan Emre Aydın, Mayor Mustafa Erkut Ekinci, and military officials who informed his parents, Sedat and Esengül Arslan, of the martyrdom. A Turkish flag was hung at the entrance of the martyr's house and street, where relatives and neighbors gathered. Yozgat Governor Mehmet Ali Özkan also visited the martyr's house to offer condolences.

CONTRACTED INFANTRY PRIVATE SEMIH YILMAZ MARTYRED

The family of 22-year-old Contracted Infantry Private Semih Yılmaz, who was martyred in the clash, was informed of his martyrdom. The tragic news was given to his father, Ramazan Yılmaz, who lives in the Akkent neighborhood. Following the news, a Turkish flag was hung on the apartment building where the martyr's family resides. The martyr Aslan's funeral will be held in his hometown, Kırıkkale.

CONTRACTED INFANTRY PRIVATE CEBRAIL DUNDAR MARTYRED

The family of Contracted Infantry Private Cebrail Dündar, who was martyred in the clash, received the tragic news in Mardin. The sorrowful news reached the family home in the rural Arıklı village, Boyunlu hamlet, in the Kızıltepe district of Mardin. A Turkish flag was hung at the father's house, and it was learned that the news also reached his wife residing in Malatya. The martyr's funeral is expected to take place in Mardin.

CONTRACTED INFANTRY PRIVATE KEMAL ASLAN MARTYRED

The family of 22-year-old Contracted Infantry Private Kemal Aslan, who was martyred in the clash, was informed of his martyrdom. The tragic news was delivered to his parents, Yeter and Mehmet Aslan, residing in the Güneykent neighborhood of Elazığ, where he was registered. A Turkish flag was hung on the building where the martyr's family lives, and his father, Mehmet Aslan, shared on social media, "My son became a martyr, how proud I am." The martyr Aslan's funeral will take place in his hometown, Elazığ.

CONTRACTED INFANTRY PRIVATE ENIS BUDAK MARTYRED

The family of 22-year-old Contracted Infantry Private Enis Budak, who was martyred in the clash, was informed of his martyrdom in Manisa. Yunusemre District Governor Atilla Kantay and others informed his father, İkram Budak, residing in the Atatürk neighborhood. Upon receiving the news, family members were deeply saddened, and health officials were also present during the visit. A Turkish flag was hung in the street where the martyr's family lives. Relatives and neighbors came to the family's house to offer condolences. Martyr Enes Budak, who had completed his military service and started working as a contracted private, was unmarried and had 6 siblings, and that his mother İkram Budak had passed away 2 years ago.