Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on Tuesday issued a message on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of Gazimağusa.

Üstel said that the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo and their dreams of uniting the island with Greece had been dealt a final blow on August 15, 1974, with the liberation of the port city.

“The flame of freedom ignited in Erenköy spread to Gönyeli, Küçük Kaymaklı, Serdarlı, and all of Northern Cyprus, reaching its peak in Gazimağusa. Despite creating EOKA in 1955 and perpetrating oppression, repression, and massacres from 1963 to 1974, the Greek Cypriots couldn’t extinguish the determination and resistance of the Turkish Cypriots,” he said.

Üstel pointed out that the people of Gazimağusa, on August 15, 1974, resiliently and faithfully resisted the attacks of fascist Greek and Greek Cypriot forces, achieving victory.

“As our fighters and the Turkish armed forces were united, Gazimağusa was liberated from years of siege. On this occasion, I want to emphasize that we can never forget the contribution of those who were part of the resistance in Gazimağusa, such as the Standard-bearer of Mağusa Turgut Sökmen, İsmet Kotak who provided daily commentaries on Canbulat Radio to boost the morale of the Turkish Cypriot community, İskeleli Hasan, Ahmet Cengiz, and countless other unnamed heroes… We wish our veterans who contributed to the liberation of Gazimağusa a healthy life, extend our gratitude to the commanders and members of the Turkish Armed Forces, and offer our condolences to the martyrs,” the message read.