UPDATE - Türkiye commemorates 101st anniversary of Victory Day

UPDATES MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH OFFICIALS

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye on Wednesday commemorated the 101st anniversary of its Victory Day, marking the decisive defeat of the occupying Greek army in the Battle of Dumlupinar in 1922.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, senior government and high-ranking military officials, and the opposition leader laid a wreath at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. A minute of silence was followed by the Turkish national anthem.

"Dear Ataturk, we are proud of reaching the 101 years of patrol of the great victory you describe as the immortal monument of the Turkish nation's idea of freedom and independence.

"Today, which is one of the turning points of our glorious history, we commemorate you, your comrades-in-arms, the honorable members of the Grand National Assembly and our martyrs with mercy," Erdogan wrote in the memorial book at Anitkabir.

Also marking Victory Day, first lady Emine Erdogan said the 1922 victory is a sign of the will and determination of the Turkish nation.

"It is the message of hope given to the whole world by a nation whose heart beats with the love of the country," she said on X, commemorating Ataturk and all fallen soldiers.

- 'Heroic epic'

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the Turkish nation brought a new direction to the world history on Aug. 30, 1922.

"The price paid for making Anatolia a homeland, the strength we derive from our past, the superior courage and foresight of our nation are the greatest assurance of our independence," Yilmaz said on X.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said the 1922 victory is a "heroic epic" and a sign of independence.

"Aug. 30 is the day for us to be reborn with the love of the homeland and to exist in this land forever freely. Happy Victory," Kurtulmus said on X.

Marking the Great Offensive, the National Defense Ministry remembered commander-in-chief Ataturk, the national struggle, those killed during the war, and veterans with mercy, gratitude, and respect.

Stressing that Aug. 30 is the seal of independence, the ministry said: "Aug. 30 was the last day for the Greek army. Commander-in-chief Mustafa Kemal Pasha (ordered): 'Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean! Forward!' The Greek army was completely dispersed in the battle that lasted until the evening. Aug. 30 was now a day of victory!"

National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said with this victory, the process for the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye has begun.

"Our noble nation, despite the most difficult conditions and impossibilities, started its independence struggle against those who meant our sovereignty and independence, and concluded with a unique victory on Aug. 30 by writing a great heroic epic," Guler said in a statement.

He added that the Turkish army, inspired by its ancestors, continues to work day and night to eliminate all kinds of threats and dangers to the peace and security of Türkiye.

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said with this "glorious" victory, the heroic nation has risen from its ashes once again.

With the August 30 Victory, the Turkish nation has shown to the whole world that it will never be chained, and that it will never compromise its dignity and honor, Altun stressed.

"Our liberation struggle, which was carried to victory under the leadership of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, set an outstanding example not only for the independence of the Turkish nation, but also for the liberation of the oppressed, who were wanted to be crushed and exploited within the steel armored walls of imperialism," he added.

The Great Offensive – one of the greatest military victories in history – was launched by the Turkish Armed Forces on Aug. 26, 1922, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Türkiye, and ended on Sept. 18 that same year.

From Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 of 1922, Turkish forces fought the Battle of Dumlupinar (considered part of the Greco-Turkish War) in Türkiye's western Kutahya province, where Greek forces were decisively defeated.

By the end of 1922, all foreign forces had left the territories which would collectively become the new Republic of Türkiye a year later.