An incident occurred in the Özalp district of Van (Wan), Turkey, in the summer of 1943, amidst the turmoil of World War II, that would leave a lasting imprint on the collective memory of the Kurdish people. Known as the “33 Kurşun” or “33 Bullets” incident, it involved the order to execute 33 Kurdish villagers, though one survived and fled to Iran. The incident has significantly influenced Kurdish-Turkish relations.
The incident unfolded against a backdrop of political tension. Aspirations for Kurdish autonomy were growing in the region, with movements in neighbouring countries, including Iran, where the short-lived Kurdish state the Republic of Mahabad would be proclaimed in 1946, three years later. The Turkish government, wary of the possibility of a similar movement within its borders, was on high alert.
The villagers, all from Özalp, were accused of smuggling goods to Iran, an act interpreted as providing support for the Kurdish separatist movement. General Mustafa Muğlalı, an army officer stationed in Van, responded by ordering their execution. This decision was seen as a stark example of the incitement of hatred and hostility among the peoples of Turkey.
The execution was carried out without trial, the villagers shot with machine guns, though one survived. The incident was initially covered up, with a fabricated report claiming that the villagers had been killed trying to escape to Iran. However, the truth eventually emerged, sparking outrage and calls for justice.
There was a parliamentary inquiry and Muğlalı was subsequently tried and convicted for his actions. This marked a significant shift in the state’s approach to addressing past injustices against the Kurdish population. Muğlalı was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was later commuted, due to his age, to 20 years in prison. He died in 1951 while still serving his sentence.
The incident and the subsequent trial were widely discussed in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, with debates focusing on the incident’s impact on Kurdish-Turkish relations and the need for justice.
Efforts have also been made to erect a monument at the site of the massacre, as a way of acknowledging the incident and remembering the victims. However, these efforts have been met with resistance, reflecting the ongoing tensions surrounding the incident.
Despite the atrocities associated with him, Muğlalı was revered within the Turkish Armed Forces for many years. His bust was displayed in the garden of the Headquarters of the General Staff, and the military barracks in Özalp, the site of the massacre, was renamed “Orgeneral Muğlalı Barracks” on 6 May 2004. In his hometown of Muğla, one of the largest avenues and a business centre were named after him. However, in 2011, the name of the Muğlalı Barracks was changed to “Martyr Master Sergeant Erkan Durukan Barracks”. This change was perceived as a symbolic victory for those who had long protested against the glorification of Muğlalı. Nevertheless, it also underlined the enduring tensions and unresolved issues that stem from the 33 Bullets Incident.
The incident is seen as a symbol of the historical injustices suffered by the Kurdish population in Turkey and continues to be a source of tension. The handling of the incident and its aftermath has also raised questions about the role of the military in Turkish society and the need for accountability for past abuses.
The incident also inspired the poem “33 Kurşun” by Ahmed Arif, which has become a powerful symbol of the Kurdish struggle for justice and recognition. The poem serves as a stark reminder of the incident and its impact on the Kurdish community.
