The Mountain II 2016

Ceyda Ahu Türkpençe, a journalist, is abducted by ISIS terrorists in northern Iraq while covering the Yezidi people’s story of suffering and abandonment. A seven-member Turkish special forces team led by Commander Veysel Gökmusa Murat Serezli flies out to rescue her, setting the stage for a tense, high-stakes mission.

The film opens in medias res, following the operation through the eyes of Üsteğmen Oğuz Çağlar Çağlar Ertuğrul. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about the men who form this tight-knit unit and the bonds that drive them. Oğuz and Bekir Özbey Ufuk Bayraktar are best friends, and their shared past includes a moment when two Special Forces commandos sacrificed themselves to save them—a defining memory that strengthens their resolve to join the force.

Ceyda is rescued from her ISIS captors seconds before death as the rescue team closes in and secures her safety. They push toward the mountain and the LZ, moving with practiced efficiency through rugged terrain. On their path, they encounter rebels torturing Yezidis and Iraqi Turks; the team acts decisively to free a teenage girl and a woman, underscoring the human stakes amid the violence.

As they near the last village by the LZ, they learn that it will be attacked by ISIS troops the next morning. Rather than abandon the villagers to the oncoming assault, the commander orders the children and Ceyda to safety, while Veysel and his six remaining soldiers stay behind to hold the line. They fortify a coal house, raise the Turkish flag, and fight with a blend of skill and courage to repel the attackers.

Despite facing overwhelming odds, the team manages to down the battalion and protect the civilians, but the price is steep: Veysel is killed, along with Mustafa Şahin Atılgan Gümüş and Eşref Çullu Ahmet Pınar. Before he dies, the commander issues one final order to evacuate all villagers from the HQ, a directive that reinforces the story’s core message about safeguarding civilians even when it costs lives.

The narrative is driven by stark, grounded action and the emotional weight of sacrifice. The film blends immediate, on-the-ground combat sequences with flashbacks that deepen our understanding of loyalty, friendship, and duty. It presents a clear, human portrayal of a mission where every choice matters and where courage is measured not only by weaponry but by the willingness to protect the vulnerable at great personal cost.