Halil Paşa who had served as a commander of the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) and as former president of the TMT Freedom Fighters Association, has passed away.
Paşa will be laid to rest on Wednesday following seperate ceremonies at the Mücahitler Sitesi (Freedom Fighters Headquarters) and the Republic’s Assembly.
Having served in important positions in the Turkish Resistance Organization for many years, being a member of the Founding Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and leading the TMT Freedom Fighters’ Association for 16 years, Halil Paşa bid farewell to life at the age of 88.
Respects will be paid for Paşa at two ceremonies on Wednesday, January 24, the first at the Mücahitler Sitesi where the Freedom Fighters Headquarters were once based and later in front of the Republic’s Assembly.
Following noon prayers at the Ismail Safa Mosque in Lefkoşa, a military ceremony will accompany Halil Paşa’s final journey.
Born on October 21, 1936, in the Nergisli village of Gazimağusa district, Halil Paşa was involved in the national struggle from his youth.
After completing his university education, he served as the General Secretary of the “Cyprus Turkish Society” in London from 1958 to 1959.
Upon his return to the island in 1960, Halil Paşa joined the TMT, playing crucial roles, especially in the intelligence units, for an extended period.
Between December 1963 and March 1978, Halil Paşa successively served as the Director of the TMT’s Intelligence Lefkoşa Branch and the Intelligence Group President of the Security Forces.
Following the declaration of the TRNC, Halil Paşa also served as a member of the Founding Assembly from the TMT Freedom Fighters’ Association quota.
Leading the association for 16 years from 1983 onwards, Halil Paşa exerted significant efforts for the “Cyprus Turkish History, Culture, and National Struggle Museum,” opened on November 15, 2023, organizing special visits to the museum after its inauguration.
Recently, Halil Paşa was undergoing treatment due to health issues.