Arslan Kulaksız was a military officer serving in the Turkish Armed Forces with the rank of Major in the Gendarmerie. He lost his life in an armed attack while serving as the District Gendarmerie Commander in Malazgirt, Muş, in 2015.

^{Major Arslan Kulaksız} (Anadolu Ajansı)

Arslan Kulaksız was born on 1 October 1969 in the village of Ortaova, within the Merzifon district of Amasya. According to population records, Kulaksız was registered in the Merzifon district of Amasya and was married to Sibel Kulaksız. Official documents and biographical data confirm that he was the father of two children.^【1】

Kulaksız completed his primary and secondary education in Amasya. He graduated from the military academy in 1990 and began his service in the Turkish Armed Forces. From the early stages of his professional career, he assumed responsibilities at various levels within units subordinate to the General Command of the Gendarmerie.^【2】

Following his graduation in 1990, Arslan Kulaksız served in various regions of Türkiye. The provinces where he served include Elazığ, Malatya, Şırnak, Çanakkale, Karabük, Hakkâri, Antalya, and Rize. He was promoted to the rank of Major during his service in Rize. In the 2013 general assignments, he was appointed as District Gendarmerie Commander in Malazgirt, Muş, and remained in this position until his death on 27 July 2015.^【3】

^{Major Arslan Kulaksız Martyrdom Site} (Güzelbahçe Municipality)

While serving as District Gendarmerie Commander in Malazgirt, he was placed on the target list by alleged senior leaders of the PKK terrorist organization as a result of successful military operations and field activities conducted against the group in the region.

According to judicial investigations and indictments, the assassination plot against Kulaksız was initiated approximately 20 to 25 days before the attack date and was closely monitored. Prior to the final attack on 27 July, an initial attempt was planned in front of the Ziraat Bank branch in Malazgirt, during a time when civilian traffic was high and his daughter was with him. However, the perpetrators abandoned this attempt due to unfavorable environmental conditions.^【4】

The attack occurred on the evening of 27 July 2015, as Arslan Kulaksız was returning home from a dinner attended by his wife and daughter. The official vehicle under his command slowed down or stopped unexpectedly along the military housing route, at which point terrorists lying in ambush opened fire.

During the operation, two separate vehicles were used by the attackers to control alternative routes that Kulaksız might have taken. As a result of the attack, which involved long-barreled firearms and pistols, Arslan Kulaksız lost his life. His wife, Sibel Kulaksız, was injured while in the vehicle, but their daughter, İrem, escaped unharmed.^【5】

^{Funeral Ceremony of Major Arslan Kulaksız} (Anadolu Ajansı)

Kulaksız’s body was buried at the Merzifon Air Martyrs’ Cemetery in Amasya following a funeral ceremony held in his hometown. In memory of his sacrifice, a park and monument bearing his name were inaugurated in the Güzelbahçe district of İzmir. He is officially recorded as a martyr in the records of the Amasya Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services.^【6】