Atatürkist group slams Education Minister over historical remarks

The Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD) has sharply criticized Turkish Education Minister Yusuf Tekin's recent statements regarding the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish War of Independence. In a statement commemorating the anniversary of the Great Offensive (Büyük Taarruz) and the Victory of the Commander-in-Chief's Battle (Başkomutanlık Meydan Muharebesi), ADD directly referenced Tekin's comment: "What are we being saved from? Before that, there was the great Ottoman Empire."

ADD retorted that the victory in the Commander-in-Chief's Battle, which began on August 26, 1922, was a decisive triumph that nullified the Treaty of Sèvres – the "death warrant" imposed on Turks by the Ottoman administration. This victory, ADD stressed, paved the way for the Treaty of Lausanne and the establishment of the Turkish Republic. The association declared that those attempting to diminish or erase the significance of this victory are "palace jesters, political merchants, fake historians, and their supporters."

The statement further elaborated on the historical significance of the Great Offensive, noting that the Greek defenses, deemed insurmountable by the British General Staff, were shattered within six hours. It recalled Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's promise that "they will leave as they came" and highlighted the subsequent retreat of the Greek army. ADD quoted Falih Rıfkı Atay's description of Atatürk's order to the army: "Armies, your first objective is the Mediterranean, forward!" Atay described this order as evoking a joy surpassing any literary work, signifying "We were saved."

ADD concluded by reiterating its core message: "History is a science, it delivers its judgment." The association asserted that history teaches everyone, whether they wish it or not, and cannot be altered by falsehoods. This strong stance underscores ADD's commitment to preserving the historical narrative surrounding the founding of the Turkish Republic and its foundational figures.