90 Cyprus Veterans From Türkiye Visiting TRNC

90 Cyprus Veterans embark on a commemorative tour for the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, 90 Cyprus Veterans will embark on a tour of the lands they once fought for.

A farewell ceremony was organized by the General Directorate of Martyrs’ Relatives and Veterans of the Ministry of Family and Social Services at the 75th Year Nursing Home Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center. The veterans were selected by the Turkish War Veterans Association.

Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services, Sevim Sayım Madak, expressed her joy in reuniting with the veterans for the 50th Anniversary Program of the Cyprus Operation, which is held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Madak emphasized the dedication of her colleagues in organizing the program and wished the veterans a memorable experience during their visit to Cyprus. She stated:

“This program, which includes various activities such as visits to the parliament, museums, and martyrs’ cemeteries in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is coordinated by our Ministry and the Ministry of National Defense. Whatever we do for you is never enough. You are the heroes of our unity and solidarity, our glorious history, and the pride of our beloved nation.”

“We Went to War with Joy”

Seventy-year-old Cyprus Veteran Ahmet İsmailoğlu, who participated in the program, recalled starting his service with the 50th Infantry Regiment and losing his regiment commander on the second day. He remarked, “Can we go to war happily? Yes, we did. We will experience a wonderful feeling again by going to Cyprus.”

Gazi Cemil Yaralı, who served on the “TCG Kocatepe Ship” during the Cyprus Peace Operation, added, “As long as we are under this state, under this flag, we will always gladly give our lives for the sake of war, for the sake of our state.”

Following the program, the veterans visited the Turkish Combat Veterans Association, where they were bid farewell by children under state protection. The send-off was accompanied by the Saray Barrier-Free Life and Care Rehabilitation Center Mehteran Team and children.

The veterans will first travel to Mersin and subsequently depart for Cyprus by ship.