Sedat Önal, Türkiye’s Ambassador to the United States, marked the 104th anniversary of 30 August Victory Day at a reception held in Washington on Thursday.
Önal said relations between Türkiye and the United States were progressing positively in many respects, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and described the NATO summit in Ankara as one of the year’s major developments. He said U.S. President Donald Trump’s participation in the summit had played an important role in its success.
Önal said the region and the international community were going through difficult and turbulent periods and stressed the importance of unity among NATO allies. He noted that, as Türkiye enters its second century, the spirit of 30 August continues to serve as a lasting source of inspiration and a point of reference for the country.
Önal said the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar was important not only for Türkiye but also for world history. He said the victory paved the way for the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and noted that the courage displayed in the struggle had become part of the identity of the Turkish nation.
Ambassador Önal commemorated the Turkish soldiers and civilians who made sacrifices during the war, as well as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who served as commander-in-chief and later founded the Republic of Türkiye.
Dumlupınar’s place in the struggle for independence
Brigadier General Alpaslan Güldal, defense attaché at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, described the Battle of Dumlupınar as a major turning point in Türkiye’s struggle for independence. Güldal said the victory demonstrated to the world the Turkish nation’s determination to protect its independence and sovereignty.
Güldal said the victory at Dumlupınar paved the way for the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye on October 29, 1923, and noted that August 30 is also celebrated as Turkish Armed Forces Day. He said the day provides an opportunity to highlight the role of the Turkish military beyond Türkiye’s borders.
Güldal said Turkish Armed Forces personnel contribute to regional and global peace and security through operations and missions under NATO, the United Nations and the European Union, as well as through bilateral partnerships. He added that Türkiye and the United States, as NATO allies, had worked together for many years to support peace and security.
From the Great Offensive to the Republic
The Great Offensive launched by the Turkish Armed Forces under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on August 26, 1922, ended on September 18, 1922. In the Battle of Dumlupınar, fought in Kütahya between August 26 and 30, Turkish forces inflicted a decisive defeat on Greek forces.
By the end of 1922, all foreign forces had withdrawn from the territories that would form the Republic of Türkiye, established a year later.
