Ceremonies and events marking the 21st -25th of December National Struggle and Martyrs Week are continuing.
Turkish Cypriot fighters who fell during the defence of the Turkish Cypriot sector of İskele in the Larnaca district between 1963 and 1974 were remembered today with a ceremony at the Larnaca Martyrs Monument located in modern day İskele in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the Martyrs’ Monument, a minute’s silence was observed and shots were fired in memory of the martyrs.
President Ersin Tatar issued a message in commemoration of the martyrs.
In his message, Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT) had put up a heroic resistance against attacks launched by the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo on 43 villages located in the district of Larnaca which is located in South Cyprus.
He reminded that 173 people had died defending their homes.
“It is impossible to forget the dark, painful days and suffering our people endured before 1974. If we are living today in peace and security, freely and independently under the roof of our own state, it is because of the lives our martyrs sacrificed. We have not forgotten you and never will,” he said in his message.
President Tatar reminded that it was his solemn duty to protect the freedom and independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“It is not possible for us to accept a federal settlement which the Greek Cypriot side is trying to impose, which would transform the Turkish Cypriot people into a minority, scrap Turkey’s guarantees and force Turkish troops to leave the island,” he said.
Tatar added that the only option that could be discussed was a two-state solution based on sovereign equality which he, with the support of Turkey, had tabled at the informal meeting in Geneva earlier this year.
“We never accepted or bowed to Greek Cypriot oppression and we shall never do so. We will do all that is necessary to protect what we have inherited, our state, our independence and our sovereignty,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, a similar ceremony will be held to commemorate the Kumsal Martyrs on Friday.
A ceremony will also be held to commemorate those who fell in the Kaymaklı region.