The 49th anniversary of the liberation of Lefke was marked with various ceremonies on Wednesday.
While a parade was held in the town square to mark the occasion, a ceremony was held to commemorate the martyrs who fell during the resistance.
Two separate ceremonies were held in Lefke on Wednesday to mark the 49th anniversary of the town’s liberation as part of the second phase of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation.
The ceremonies were attended by President Ersin Tatar, Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre, senior military officials, some ministers, MPs, Lefke Mayor Aziz Kaya, representatives of institutions and organizations and citizens.
The ceremony at the Kemal Özalper Martyrs’ Cemetery started with the laying of wreaths in order of protocol.
Then shots were fired in tribute, followed by a minutes silence and raising of the flags to the national anthem.
Once the monuments special book was signed prayers were recited for the martyrs.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar said that the second phase of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation was significant in terms of ensuring the security and safety of Turkish Cypriots.
He pointed out that Turkish Cypriots in their enclaves scattered all across the island came under increased attacks from Greek-Greek Cypriot forces despite an agreed truce.
The massacres carried out in the villages of Murtağa, Atlılar and Sandallar were examples of the horrific atrocities committed against Turkish Cypriots, Tatar added.
“Thus Turkish forces who took the initiative, liberated Gazimağusa on August 14 and Lefke on August 16 drawing what became the borders of the TRNC today.
“If we are living with honour now, we owe it to the operation,” Tatar said.
The president added that Turkish Cypriots, with the support of their motherland Türkiye continued to prosper and grow under the roof of their own state which was gaining more and more international acceptance by the day.
Tatar repeated that if there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, it will be based on two states, and he highlighted that an agreement based on a federation with the Greek Cypriot side unilaterally present in the European Union, would result in Türkiye being excluded from the region and its ties with Turkish Cypriots being severed.
President Tatar also explained that projects for the development of Lefke have been implemented, mentioning advancements in the Lefke European University, eco-tourism, and agricultural activities. He highlighted that the newly opened bypass road has shortened transportation routes.