Erdogan hails Canakkale Victory as epic of faith and sacrifice

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan marked the 111th anniversary of the Canakkale Victory on Wednesday, paying tribute to the Ottoman heroes who repelled Allied forces during World War I's Gallipoli campaign. In a message released by the Communications Directorate, the president celebrated March 18 Martyrs' Remembrance Day and the historic naval victory that stands as a cornerstone of Turkish national consciousness.

A Nation's Epic Struggle

"Canakkale is a unique epic in which not only a battle, but also faith, sacrifice, love of homeland, and the consciousness of being a nation were proclaimed to the entire world," Erdogan declared. He remembered with "mercy, gratitude, and appreciation the heroes who made Canakkale impassable," stating that "the struggle carried out in Canakkale by hearts full of faith became a historical turning point and a sign that our nation would never give up its freedom and independence."

The president recalled how heroes from every corner of Anatolia rushed to defend the homeland, with the entire nation—men and women, young and old—becoming "one heart" and defending their land at the cost of their lives. "This great resistance demonstrated by our ancestors not only changed the fate of our homeland but also that of oppressed nations living under persecution around the world," he added. "The heroism displayed in Canakkale is one of the strongest symbols of our nation's brotherhood, solidarity, and shared destiny."

Historical Significance

The Gallipoli campaign, one of history's fiercest battles, raged from April 25, 1915, to Jan. 9, 1916, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Britain and France sought to secure a sea route to their Russian ally and capture Istanbul, the Ottoman capital. Turkish forces repelled the naval assault and subsequent land offensive, forcing the invading forces to withdraw after eight months of intense fighting.

The victory against the Allied powers galvanized Turkish morale, paving the way for the War of Independence from 1919 to 1922 and the eventual founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923 from the Ottoman Empire's ashes. The Canakkale triumph remains a profound source of national pride, embodying the resilience and unity that would ultimately give birth to the modern Turkish state.