The bodies of guerrillas Gulbahar Mercan (Şekirnaz Kaplan), Eylem Munzur (Emine Kaplan) and Dîcle Eylem (Leyla Gülcü), who died on 4 August during a military operation by the Turkish army in Mardin (Mêrdîn), have been handed over to their families 143 days later after their death.

YJA Star guerrilla Şekernaz Kaplan was laid to rest in the village of Tilmis in Hizan (Xîzan), in Bitlis (Bedlîs). The family was subjected to police obstacles many times along the way. In the village, the fulfillment of religious obligations and the washing of the corpse were prevented. Hundreds of people were prevented from attending the funeral. Only first-degree relatives were allowed in the graveyard.

Guerrilla Kaplan buried in Batman

YJA Star guerrilla Emine Kaplan was buried in Batman (Êlih). Kaplan's family was faced by the police at the entrance of the cemetery. Hundreds of people who wanted to attend the funeral were blockaded. At the insistence of the public, some people were able to attend the funeral. A large crowd waited outside the cemetery. Journalists were not allowed to pass for "security" reasons.

Background

Gulbahar Mercan was the commander of the Associations of Free Women (YJA Star), Eylem Munzur and Dîcle Eylem belonged to the Hêzên Taybet, a special unit within the guerrillas. They were killed in an attack by the Turkish army on Mount Bagok in Nusaybin (Nisêbîn).

The families of the three gave blood samples to identify the bodies. The identities of the three women were confirmed by the Turkish authorities through DNA matching. The families appeared at the public prosecutor's office in Mardin on Friday morning to complete the necessary formalities. There they were informed that the exhumation of the bodies would only take place after dark. The relatives had to wait until evening. Only then were they able to dig up the coffins, accompanied by police and employees of the cemetery f the nameless in Ertuqî (Artuklu).

The families had to arrange for the bodies to be transported to their hometowns with their own means. Dîcle Eylem will be buried in Amed, Eylem Munzur in Batman (Êlih) and Gulbahar Mercan in Bitlis (Bedlîs-Xîzan).