Ayla: The Daughter of War - Characters & Cast

Initially motivated by duty to his country, his primary motivation becomes the protection and love of Ayla. He risks his own safety and defies regulations to care for her. For the rest of his life, he is driven by the promise he made to reunite with her.

Süleyman begins as a brave and dutiful soldier who volunteers for service in Korea. His discovery of Ayla transforms him from a soldier into a devoted father figure. His arc is defined by this newfound responsibility and love. After the war, his life is shaped by the lingering pain of their separation and his unwavering commitment to his promise to find her, which he finally fulfills 60 years later, bringing his life's journey to a deeply emotional conclusion.

As a child, her motivation is survival and attachment to Süleyman, her sole protector and source of love. As an adult, she holds onto the deep-seated memory of a loving father from a distant past, a memory that is reawakened and fulfilled upon their reunion.

Ayla starts as a traumatized, mute orphan who has lost everything. Through Süleyman's love and the safety of the Turkish brigade, she rediscovers her voice and childhood innocence. After their separation, she grows up in an orphanage, eventually marrying and having her own family, but never forgetting the Turkish soldier she called 'Baba' (Father). Her arc culminates in the emotional reunion where her fragmented childhood memories are finally validated and she is reconnected with her first father.

His primary motivation is loyalty to his friends, especially Süleyman, and his duty as a soldier. He finds a new purpose in helping to care for Ayla, who brings light into their difficult lives.

Ali is Süleyman's best friend and fellow soldier, providing comic relief and unwavering support. He is skeptical at first about keeping Ayla but quickly grows to love her. His character represents the camaraderie and shared humanity among the soldiers. His tragic death in battle is a pivotal moment, underscoring the brutal realities of war and deepening Süleyman's resolve to protect Ayla at all costs.