24.03.2026 15:43
The body of Major Sinan Taştekin, one of the 3 Turkish personnel who were martyred in a helicopter crash during training in Qatar, was brought to his hometown Isparta. At the ceremony held for our martyr, the grieving mother, unable to hold back her tears, responded to the question, "Will you be able to walk?" with, "I can walk, my handsome son. I would do anything for my son," which broke hearts.
The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) reported that 3 Turkish personnel were martyred in a helicopter that fell into the sea due to a technical malfunction during a training activity in Qatar. In a written statement from the MSB, it was announced that a helicopter operating under the Qatar-Turkish Joint Force Command had an accident.
"WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE TURKISH NATION AND BROTHER QATAR" The statement noted that 7 personnel were martyred in the helicopter accident and included the following expressions: "A helicopter belonging to the Qatar Armed Forces, which was conducting training activities under the Qatar-Turkish Joint Force Command, crashed into the sea on the evening of March 21 due to a technical malfunction, according to initial determinations. The wreckage of the helicopter and the bodies of our martyrs were reached through the search and rescue operation that was immediately initiated. Four personnel from the Qatar Armed Forces, one of our Turkish Armed Forces personnel, and two technicians from ASELSAN were martyred in the accident. The exact cause of the crash will be determined as a result of the investigation to be conducted by the Qatari authorities. We pray for the souls of all our martyrs who lost their lives in this tragic accident, and we offer our condolences to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces, the Qatar Armed Forces, ASELSAN, the Turkish nation, and the brotherly people of Qatar."
THE SAD NEWS REACHED THE FAMILY HOME IN ISPARTA The Ministry of National Defense also announced that the 3 martyred personnel were Air Defense Major Sinan Taştekin, Süleyman Cemre Kahraman, and İsmail Enes Can. After the news was delivered to the family home of Air Defense Major Sinan Taştekin in the Gülcü neighborhood of Isparta, a Turkish flag was hung at the house.
THE MARTYR'S BODY WAS WELCOMED WITH A CEREMONY In the afternoon, the martyr's body was welcomed with prayers at Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport, while his mother, father, and wife could not hold back their tears, and the body was taken to the morgue of Isparta City Hospital. It was learned that Taştekin's funeral would be held after the afternoon prayer at 15 July Republic and Democracy Square (in front of the Isparta Governorship) and he would be buried at Isparta Martyrs' Cemetery.
"I WILL WALK, I WILL DO EVERYTHING FOR MY SON" During the funeral ceremony, when asked "Will you be able to walk?" to the grieving mother Sezen Taştekin, she replied, "I will walk, my handsome son. I will do everything for my son." Isparta Deputy Governor Hamdullah Suphi Özgödek, Garrison Commander Brigadier General Merdin Kışkan, Mayor Şükrü Başdeğirmen, the martyr's family and relatives, as well as military personnel and protocol members were present to welcome the martyr Taştekin.