Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) released a statement, commemorating the 104th anniversary of the defense of Çanakkale (Dardanelles) during World War I.
March 18 has been commemorated as the anniversary of the victory over Allied fleets that were attempting to break through the Strait of Dardanelles. The battle of Gallipoli is regarded as a defining moment in Turkey, since the struggle formed the basis for the Turkish War of Independence and the declaration of the Republic of Turkey eight years later.
The full statement of TKP is as follows:
To end bloody battles and occupations
104 years have passed since the defense of Çanakkale. The war of imperial sharing, which exploded in 1914, was not the bloodiest war our world has ever seen; it was enough to wait 25 years to see a bloodier one.
But the war that began in 1914 was the first war that spread across continents, where chemical weapons were used wildly, children with helmets were sent to death and mankind was destroyed in masses.
It was a war that shows what imperialism promises to humanity, and what awaits humanity if a socialist world is not established.
The defense of Çanakkale is the heroic epic of those who gave their lives for their own homeland, not for the interests of the Ottoman Empire, thrown in the imperialist war with desperation and blindness. Today, humanity, which needs peace more than ever, continues to struggle in a system that creates more wars and looting than ever.
We are not one of those who commemorates Çanakkale with war cries.
We will not be surprised if the brutality in New Zealand in the past days leads some to commemorate the Anzacs coming to the Çanakkale coasts within the occupation armies 104 years ago. We would like to remind those who will be engaged in warmongering by linking this brutality to the defense of Çanakkale what Mustafa Kemal, who led the struggle against the occupation in Anatolia, said: "You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."
We can no longer lose one minute to end the wars, to end the age of invaders, and to start the age of peace.
This is the last call.
Communist Party of Turkey
