Tatar issues message on Erenköy anniversary

He said that the spark lit by the freedom fighters who fought in Erenköy was an important cornerstone in the Turkish Cypriot people’s journey to creating their own state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

In his message issued to mark the 58^th anniversary of the epic resistance put up in Erenköy, President Ersin Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people were celebrating the anniversary, also known as the Turkish Cypriot Çanakkale (Gallipolli), in pride.

“Hundreds of young Turkish Cypriots left their university education to defend their land and an honourable life, risking their lives to resist the Greek Cypriot attacks aimed at achieving ENOSIS (Union with Greece) and in the end achieving a great victory in Erenköy,” he said.

Tatar also said that the resistance in Erenköy was proof of the great sacrifices made in the name of freedom and independence.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot people will never forget the sacrifices of the 500 or so young men who unselfishly rushed to defend the enclave, where weapons and ammunition from Türkiye used to resist Greek Cypriots all across the island were transported by small fishing boats.

“The defenders, as witnessed by the UN peacekeepers, did not allow Erenköy to fall into enemy hands. What took place in Erenköy has shown us that Türkiye’s active and effective guarantees in Cyprus cannot be abandoned under any condition,” Tatar said.

The president added that the Turkish Cypriot people with the support of their motherland Türkiye will continue to defend their rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.