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    Categories: 2023

The NATO Land Forces Command in Smyrna congratulates Turkey on the Asia Minor Catastrophe

Aug 30 2023

The NATO Land Forces Command (LANDCOM) based in Izmir posted a congratulatory message to Turkey on the anniversary of the Asia Minor Disaster 1922.

"LANDCOM wishes a happy Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day to our host nation. On this very special day, we would like to express our gratitude to Türkiye for their hospitality as our hosts here at LANDCOM. Since joining NATO in 1952, Türkiye has participated in multiple operations and exercises and has always demonstrated the great professionalism and tenacity of its soldiers. Türkiye and NATO are stronger and safer together!"

A similar message was posted last year on the same day, provoking a strong reaction from Greece, which went to NATO and asked for an explanation and succeeded in deleting the post.

Today, August 30, Turkey celebrates the so-called "Victory Day", the anniversary of the Turkish army's victory over Greek forces in the 1922 Battle of Dumlupınar in Asia Minor.

The end of the battle of Dumlupınar spelt the beginning of the end for the 4,000+ year-old Greek presence in Anatolia. The last Greek troops left Anatolia on 18 September. The Armistice of Mudanya was signed by Turkey, Italy, France and Great Britain on 11 October 1922.

Greece was forced to accede to it on 14 October. 1922 To commemorate this victory, 30 August (also liberation day of Kütahya) is celebrated as Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı), a national holiday in Turkey.

The Turkish-perpetrated Greek Genocide would come to an end in 1923 with the population exchange of Muslims and Christians between Greece and Turkey.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/08/30/nato-turkey-asia-minor-disaster/

Anna Tamamian: