# Turkish veterans continue Ankara protests after police move > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-veterans-protest-for-equal-benefits > Updated: 2026-08-27T23:41:22.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 9. Since mid‑July 2026, veterans of Turkey’s anti‑terrorism forces and families of fallen soldiers have maintained a sit‑in in Ankara, demanding equal pensions, medical aid, prosthetic support, salary parity, and housing assistance. Following a period of occupation at Güvenpark and a subsequent hunger strike, police intervened on 19 August to remove protesters, transporting them to the Bilkent Gazi Uyumevi. By 21 August, the demonstrations entered their 41st day. Protesters moved their activities to Kurtuluş Park after being cleared from Güvenpark. Erdem Çerçioğlu, President of the Association of Martyr Families and Veterans, accused authorities of making life difficult at the Bilkent facility, claiming they are being denied access to it. Protesters also reported being moved between locations by police and expressed frustration with what they described as stalling tactics by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) has criticized the police interventions, stating that preventing peaceful protests violates the Constitution and international law. Following their release from the Bilkent facility, protesters attempted to march toward the Ministries of Interior, Family and Social Services, and National Defense but were blocked by police barricades. During these tensions, İYİ Party Deputy Chairman and Bursa MP Selçuk Türkoğlu was hospitalized at Hacettepe University Hospital. While the İYİ Party claims Türkoğlu was injured following an attack by a security official while supporting the protesters, party official Turhan Çömez stated that Türkoğlu suffered a heart spasm during the incident. On 24 August, following his hospitalization after a police intervention in Kurtuluş Park, Türkoğlu communicated via social media that he is doing well and intends to pursue legal action against those responsible. Veterans' representatives have criticized former Defense Minister Hulusi Akar for describing the protesters as a ‘very small minority’ and suggesting they were being exploited for political gain. ## Claims - İYİ Parti claims Bursa MP Selçuk Türkoğlu was injured during a police intervention while supporting veterans in Kurtuluş Park. (disputed by 5 sources) - İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez reported that Selçuk Türkoğlu suffered a heart spasm during the incident. (disputed by 4 sources) - The protest by the Martyrs' Families and Veterans Association has reached its 41st day. (disputed by 3 sources) - Gaziler Platformu spokesperson Soner Bardakçı said the protest has lasted 18 days and highlighted benefit disparities. (disputed) - Veterans Platform spokesperson Erdem Çerçioğlu stated that er veterans and martyr families are protesting for equal social and economic rights. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Veterans are facing mistreatment at the Bilkent Gazi Uyum Evi. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Police officers acted politely when inviting the group to leave the Ministry of Family and Social Services. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ankara MP Yüksel Arslan announced that Selçuk Türkoğlu has been discharged from the hospital in good health. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Protesters have threatened to begin a hunger strike if their demands are not met. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told protesters to “go home and sit” and said legislation would be prepared. (corroborated by 2 sources) - İYİ Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu visited the protest and pledged party support, stating a draft law would be prepared. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Turkish officials call for dialogue with veterans and martyrs' families Turkish Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral called for better dialogue with veterans and martyrs' families, a move welcomed by association leaders following a meeting with the Ankara Governor. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-officials-call-for-dialogue-with-veterans-and-martyrs-families ### 2026-08-24: Selçuk Türkoğlu hospitalized during Ankara veteran protest İYİ Party MP Selçuk Türkoğlu was hospitalized following a police intervention in Ankara during a protest by er veterans and martyr families seeking equal social and economic rights. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ankara-protests-involving-veterans-and-martyr-families-lead-to-mp-hospitalization ### 2026-08-21: Turkish veterans continue protests in Ankara over social rights Turkish veterans and martyr families continue their 41-day protest in Ankara, demanding equal rights and criticizing police interventions and restricted access to veteran housing. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veterans-protest-in-ankara-allege-mistreatment-at-bilkent-facility ### 2026-08-19: Turkish Interior Minister meets with protesting veterans and martyrs' families Turkish veterans and martyrs' families met with Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi to discuss grievances following a 38-day protest in Ankara. Protesters vow to continue until their demands are met. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-interior-minister-meets-with-protesting-veterans-and-martyrs-families ### 2026-08-19: Ankara police intervene in 38-day veteran protest in Güvenpark Police forcibly removed veterans and martyr relatives from Ankara's Güvenpark after a 38-day protest, sparking political condemnation and official denials regarding their access to rehabilitation facilities. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-intervene-in-veteran-protest-in-ankaras-gvenpark ### 2026-08-03: Turkish veterans start hunger strike demanding equal benefits Turkish veterans occupying Ankara’s Güvenpark began a hunger strike after 21 days, demanding equal pay, benefits and legal reforms, despite a visit from defence officials. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-veterans-start-hunger-strike-demanding-equal-benefits ### 2026-07-29: Turkey veterans protest at Güvenpark draws statements from Akar and Dervişoğlu Veterans and families have staged an 18‑day sit‑in at Ankara’s Güvenpark demanding equal benefits; opposition leaders visited while Defense Minister Hulusi Akar urged them to end the protest and promised new‑to 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ankaras-gvenpark-veterans-protest-draws-iyi-party-leader-msavat-derviolu ### 2026-07-15: Turkish veterans sustain sit‑in at Ankara’s Güvenpark demanding equal rights Veterans and families have kept a sit‑in at Ankara’s Güvenpark for days, demanding equal pay, benefits and prosthetic support, while politician Müsavat Dervişoğlu visited to back their cause. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-veterans-sustain-sitin-at-ankaras-gvenpark-demanding-equal-rights ### 2026-07-13: Turkish veterans protest in Ankara demanding equal rights and benefits Turkish veterans and martyrs’ families staged a sit‑in at Ankara’s Güvenpark, demanding equal pay, benefits and prosthetic access, while opposition leaders pledged to push a stalled law for 7,500 affected ex‑s​ 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-veterans-and-families-stage-sitin-in-ankara-to-demand-social-rights --- Cite as: Turkish veterans continue Ankara protests after police move. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-veterans-protest-for-equal-benefits