By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - Türkiye on Friday commemorated the martyrs of the World War I Battle of Sarikamis.
Tens of thousands of Ottoman soldiers, led by Minister of War Enver Pasha, died during the battle, which lasted from December 1914 to January 1915, when they launched an attack near the eastern city of Kars to liberate Ottoman territories under Russian occupation.
Marking the 109th anniversary of the battle, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz called it an "epic of heroism and great determination."
"I remember with grace and gratitude our martyrs who walked to martyrdom in the Allahuekber Mountains for the survival of their homeland and nation without a thought of turning back," Yilmaz said on X.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus also commemorated the martyrs of the historic battle.
"We will always proudly remember the heroism of our ancestors, who set out on the path with the awareness of martyrdom, love of the country, unshakable faith and courage, and will carry it to future generations," he said on X.
The National Defense Ministry also hailed the nation’s "glorious ancestors" who "did not hesitate even for a moment to march to martyrdom even under the most difficult conditions."
Commemoration ceremonies for the martyrs were also held in various sites in Türkiye.