Based on a Turkish television program, the film begins with a factually based incident known as the "Hood event." On July 4, 2003, 11 Turkish soldiers were arrested by U.S. troops in Sulymaniyah, northern Iraq. They were escorted from their headquarters at gunpoint with hoods draped over their heads. In the movie, one of the soldiers commits suicide due to his public humiliation. A Turkish intelligence agent, Alemdar, learns of his friend's death and seeks vengeance upon those responsible.