The 50th anniversary of the Yeşilırmak Resistance and Unification Day was celebrated with ceremonies on Thursday.
The martyrs who lost their lives in defence of the area were also remembered.
The first ceremony of the day took place at the Yeşilırmak Martyrs’ Cemetery, beginning with the laying of wreaths, followed by a moment of silence, gun salute, and the raising of flags to the national anthem.
Officials signed the memorial book, and the ceremony was concluded with a religious service and the placing of flowers on the graves of the martyrs.
A second ceremony was held at Yeşilırmak’s 5 September Square.
During the event, wreaths were laid at the Atatürk Monument, followed by another moment of silence and flag-raising.
The ceremony continued with an inspection of the ceremonial troops by the officials, and a speech was delivered by Infantry Lieutenant Gürsel Alemdar, who highlighted the significance of the day.
In his speech, Alemdar emphasized the struggle of the people of Yeşilırmak to protect their right to live with dignity, despite overwhelming odds. He noted that the resistance in Yeşilırmak has always served as an inspiration to future generations, showing the resilience of the Turkish people in the face of adversity.
Yeşilırmak’s village leader, İsmet Özpolat, expressed his joy in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the region’s unification with TRNC territory.
He praised the region’s honourable place in the history of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for resisting the enemy and refusing to surrender.
President Ersin Tatar, who also attended the ceremony, emphasized the historical significance of Yeşilırmak in the Turkish Cypriot struggle. He highlighted the critical role the people of the region played in maintaining the connection with the motherland, Türkiye, during the national struggle.
Referring to the region’s unification with TRNC territory on September 5, President Tatar expressed his satisfaction in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the resistance and unification. He described the westernmost borders of the TRNC as a result of the sacrifices made during the resistance, stating that the TRNC is a testament to the Turkish Cypriot people’s perseverance and the sacrifices they made.
President Tatar also addressed efforts to isolate the TRNC through embargoes and pressure, declaring that such efforts would not succeed, especially with the support of Türkiye. He affirmed the permanence of the new political reality, a position supported by Türkiye’s President Erdoğan on various international platforms, including the UN.
Tatar further noted that the TRNC continues to elevate its international standing through observer membership in organizations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS). He added that the TRNC stands as the southernmost independent Turkish state, embodying the national will in the Eastern Mediterranean, and continues to strengthen its ties with Türkiye and the broader Turkish world.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of poems, a folk dance performance by the Yedidalga Folklore Association, and an official parade.
BRT
