Erdogan Honors Ataturk as Türkiye Marks 104th Victory Day

(MENAFN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a message Sunday commemorating the 104th anniversary of Victory Day, honoring the decisive triumph that sealed Türkiye's War of Independence.

"Today, we proudly mark the 104th anniversary of the Great Victory, which went down in history as the 'Battle of the Commander-in-Chief' and constituted the most important stage of our National Struggle," Erdogan said in a statement released through the Communications Directorate on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.

He extended his greetings broadly: "I congratulate our beloved nation, the Turkish Cypriot people and our citizens living in different countries around the world on Aug. 30 Victory Day. I extend my most sincere gratitude to our esteemed guests who share our joy and excitement on this holiday at our missions abroad."

Erdogan said the Aug. 30 victory reaffirmed that the territory the Turkish nation has inhabited freely for a thousand years stands as its "eternal homeland."

"The Great Victory, which also paved the way for the establishment of our Republic, proclaimed to the entire world that our nation would never accept captivity, while also helping break the imperialist encirclement of our geography," he said. "The determination, courage and resolve we displayed as a nation 104 years ago despite all kinds of adversity remain our strongest source of motivation today."

Drawing on that legacy, Erdogan said, Türkiye continues advancing toward its goals through achievements spanning energy, defense, science, technology and foreign policy.

"At a time when wars, conflicts, crises, and political uncertainties are increasing around the world, particularly in our region, Türkiye stands out with its proactive policies that are principled, resolute, and centered on humanitarian values," he said. "I would like to state with satisfaction that today there is a Türkiye that strives to prevent oppression regardless of who perpetrates it, stands by the oppressed regardless of who they are, and does not hesitate to pay a price when necessary for this cause."

Invoking an ancient Turkic saying, Erdogan declared: "Unless the blue sky above collapses and the dark earth below is pierced, no one will be able to make Türkiye and the Turkish nation abandon their blessed struggle." He continued: "Despite all the incitements and provocations of those who thrive on instability, we, as a state and a nation, will continue to stand for rights, law, justice, peace and stability."

Erdogan also thanked citizens who, "just as 104 years ago," are working together to build what he calls the Century of Türkiye, and extended warmth to communities across the broader Turkic cultural sphere who "share both our joys and our sorrows."

He closed with a tribute: "On this occasion, I commemorate with gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the commander-in-chief of the Great Victory, and his comrades-in-arms. I pray to Almighty Allah to have mercy on our martyrs, whom we regard as the eternal guardians of our independence, and remember our veterans with gratitude. Happy Aug. 30 Victory Day."

Victory Day commemorates the final battle fought in western Anatolia against Greek forces in 1922 and is dedicated to the Turkish Armed Forces. Turkish troops fought the Battle of Dumlupinar from Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 in what is now the central Kutahya province, decisively defeating the invading Greek army. By the close of 1922, all foreign forces had been driven from the territories that would unite one year later as the Republic of Türkiye.

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