Erdoğan highlights plots against Türkiye as country marks Victory Day

Türkiye on Sunday commemorated the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Dumlupınar, a decisive moment in the Turkish War of Independence, marked annually as Victory Day. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and top officials paid tribute to fallen soldiers and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, at ceremonies in Ankara and across the country.

Erdoğan emphasized that threats to the nation’s sovereignty persist a century after the Great Offensive, which culminated in the Aug. 30, 1922 victory over Greek forces. In a memorial note at Atatürk’s mausoleum, the Anıtkabir, Erdoğan wrote that Türkiye remains steadfast in defending its independence and future. “We are decisively standing up for the independence and future of our nation,” he stated.

The Battle of Dumlupınar, fought in Kütahya, was the penultimate engagement of the Great Offensive, a military campaign orchestrated by Ankara-based Atatürk to expel occupying forces after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The victory dealt a final blow to imperial ambitions in the region and is widely seen as a turning point in the establishment of modern Türkiye.

In his remarks, Erdoğan recalled the sacrifices of Atatürk, the first parliamentarians, and the Turkish military, calling the republic “a sacred legacy entrusted to us by martyrs and veterans.” He stressed the importance of unity, stating, “Guided by their efforts, we are strengthening brotherhood and solidarity in every field.”

Victory Day, also recognized as Armed Forces Day, honors the soldiers who secured the nation’s freedom and includes nationwide military parades and public tours of domestically produced naval vessels. Erdoğan later hosted officials at the Presidential Complex and attended a ceremony at the Land Forces School.

In a separate statement, the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications highlighted the broader significance of the 1922 triumph. Erdoğan said the victory ensured that these lands—home to Türkiyans for a thousand years—remain their eternal homeland. He described the achievement as a declaration to the world that Türkiye would never accept subjugation and helped break the imperialist encirclement of the region.

Erdoğan also framed modern Türkiye as a principled global actor, citing successes in energy, defense, science, and foreign policy. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to preventing oppression and supporting the oppressed, regardless of the perpetrator. “As long as the blue sky above does not collapse and the black earth beneath does not split open,” he said, referencing ancient Turkic Orkhon inscriptions, “no one will be able to make Türkiye and the Turkish nation abandon their sacred struggle.”

Addressing recent regional instability, Erdoğan pledged continued adherence to justice, peace, and stability, condemning those who seek to exploit conflict.

Military displays were held in all 81 provinces, showcasing the Turkish Armed Forces’ capabilities and domestically manufactured naval assets.

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