Yunus Mermer was born in Konya in 1994 as the second child in his family. At around the age of two he survived a severe febrile illness that threatened his life. In later years he was involved in a bicycle accident in which the handlebar struck his throat area causing a fractured larynx, leading to five days of intensive care treatment. As a result of this accident a permanent surgical scar formed on his neck.^【1】

Mermer pursued his education in Konya and graduated from the two-year Foreign Trade program at Selçuk University’s Beyşehir Ali Akkanat Campus. After graduation he worked for a short period at a private company focused on imports and exports.^【2】

Mermer’s attempt to enter a military academy was unsuccessful due to the lingering effects of his childhood laryngeal surgery, which led to negative outcomes during interviews at the National Defense University. After university graduation he began his mandatory military service and during the second month of this service he decided to remain in the Turkish Armed Forces, enlisting as a professional soldier with the rank of Expert Non-Commissioned Officer. Throughout his service he served in various units and was deployed on overseas operations.^【3】

^{Yunus Mermer's Funeral Ceremony} (Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Family and Social Services)

Expert Non-Commissioned Officer Yunus Mermer was killed on 11 October 2019 during a airstrikes targeting the Melkiye Military Base in the Azaz region of Syria as part of Operation Peace Spring. Although he had just completed his watch duty, he left his position upon hearing the sounds of the attack to assist his comrades and was struck by enemy fire. A total of three soldiers lost their lives in the same attack.^【4】

His body was buried on Saturday 12 October 2019 at the Konya Martyrs’ Cemetery following a funeral prayer held at Konya Namazgah. The funeral ceremony was attended by Konya Governor Cüneyit Orhan Toprak, Deputy Minister of Health Muhammet Güven and military officials.^【5】