A Son of Turkey: The Life and Sacrifice of Mustafa Korkmaz
The story of Turkish soldier Mustafa Korkmaz, who was martyred in a PKK attack in Hakkari on October 27, 2019, highlighting his life, family memories, and enduring legacy of sacrifice for homeland and nation.
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A Son of Turkey: The Life and Sacrifice of Mustafa Korkmaz
MARTYRS NEVER DIE / HAKKARİ, TURKEY
Early Life and Aspirations
Mustafa Korkmaz, born and raised in Gaziantep, was the youngest son of İsa and Yeter Korkmaz. From his childhood, he was described as energetic, helpful, and compassionate — a young man who carried responsibilities well beyond his years. Though he began his education, Mustafa chose instead to enter the workforce, gaining experience as a repairman and later working in customs. His true calling, however, emerged when he decided to serve his nation in uniform.
A Path to Service
After completing his mandatory military duty, Mustafa pursued a career as a professional soldier. Against his family’s wishes, he applied to become a contracted private, determined to dedicate his life to defending his homeland. Despite the grueling conditions of training — mud, hunger, and long nights under heavy rain — Mustafa persevered when most others gave up. He joined the ranks of Turkey’s soldiers and was deployed to Hakkari, near the Iraqi border, one of the most dangerous regions in the fight against terrorism.
Duty in Harsh Conditions
Stationed in Dağlıca, Mustafa and his comrades faced unforgiving terrain and bitter winters. For weeks at a time, they were cut off from the outside world, accessible only by helicopter. Despite this, he never spoke of hardship to his family. Instead, he reassured his parents with optimism, asking his mother to pray and read verses from the Quran for him. Injuries, including broken ribs from a rocket attack, could not deter him. Each time he recovered, he returned to the mountains, committed to his oath.
The Final Battle
On October 27, 2019, while stationed at an outpost in Hakkari’s Dağlıca region, Mustafa’s unit came under attack by PKK terrorists. During the rocket assault, he was critically wounded. Despite emergency surgery and being transferred to Ankara, he succumbed to his injuries after four days in intensive care. His parents, who had clung to hope through his treatment, received the devastating news on that Sunday evening when the call to prayer echoed through their neighborhood — this time announcing their son’s funeral.
A Family’s Pain, A Nation’s Pride
Mustafa’s parents recall his final words and gestures with tears. His father remembers him saying: “Maybe you won’t eat from my hands again.” His mother recalls him insisting that he was proud to serve his country, dismissing any thought of money or comfort. For the Korkmaz family, the loss is immeasurable — a pain only those who have buried a child can truly comprehend. Yet, their voices echo with resilience: “This is not about money. This is love for the homeland. Without homeland and flag, we have nothing.”
Legacy of Sacrifice
Today, Mustafa rests among Turkey’s martyrs. His story is one of many, but it is uniquely his family’s — marked by a deep love of country, faith, and devotion. His father, who still sees him in dreams, speaks of his son not with bitterness, but with pride. In the words of the Korkmaz family:
“We would give him again for the homeland. Because without a country, one has no honor, no dignity.”
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A soldier doesn’t die when he’s shot—he dies when he’s forgotten.
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