Ceremonies held in Lefkoşa to mark 1 August — Communal Resistance Day

Commemorative events dedicated to 1 August — Communal Resistance Day were held in Lefkoşa. The day marks the anniversaries of the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire, the establishment of the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT) and the founding of the Security Forces Command (GKK).

The events began in the morning with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument and continued at the Martyrs' Monument.

The ceremonies were attended by TRNC Security Forces Commander Major General İlker Görgülü, representatives of the army and police, TMT Veterans Association President Celal Bayar, members of parliament and representatives of civil society organisations.

At the Atatürk Monument, Major General İlker Görgülü and the president of the TMT Veterans Association laid wreaths. Following a minute of silence and the national anthem, the commander signed the book of remembrance.

In his address, Görgülü noted that 1 August is an important date for Turkish Cypriots, associated with the history of their struggle for survival, the establishment of the Turkish Resistance Organisation in 1958 and its transformation into the Security Forces Command in 1976.

Navy representative Lieutenant Commander Erhan Sarıbaş delivered a speech on the historical significance of the date. He spoke about the stages of Cyprus's history and emphasised the role of the TMT in the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for security and self-determination.

During the ceremony at the Martyrs' Monument, wreaths were also laid, a minute of silence was observed and a salute was fired in memory of those who lost their lives.

The Security Forces Command stated that it would continue to fulfil its duties to ensure security and protect the interests of Turkish Cypriots.