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🇹🇷 Turkey /Conflict & Security

Victorious Turkish army enters İzmir

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • A historical account recalls the Turkish army’s entry into İzmir on September 9, 1922, after breaking the enemy’s final resistance east of the city.
  • Captain Şerafettin Bey and other cavalry officers raised the Turkish flag at key locations as residents welcomed the troops.
  • Mustafa Kemal Pasha entered İzmir the following day and told cheering residents that the victory belonged to the nation.

On September 9, 1922, the Turkish army entered İzmir in triumph after breaking the enemy’s final resistance on the eastern approaches to the city. Mustafa Kemal Pasha reported the advance to Rauf Bey, head of the Representative Committee, saying he would arrive in İzmir the following afternoon.

The commander-in-chief then sent a congratulatory message to the army, praising the soldiers’ effort and sacrifice in reaching the Mediterranean objective. He thanked the commanders and said he trusted the army to show the same determination in reaching its next goals.

Our forces, after breaking the enemy’s final resistance on the eastern slopes of İzmir, entered our İzmir victoriously today, September 9, 1922, together with the defeated enemy. Enemy officers and soldiers, barred from boarding the ships, are surrendering. I will be in İzmir from tomorrow afternoon.

· Mustafa Kemal PashaThe commander-in-chief’s telegram to Rauf Bey describing the Turkish army’s entry into İzmir.

As Turkish forces moved into İzmir, Lieutenant Colonel Zeki assigned the First Cavalry Regiment to lead the advance. Captain Şerafettin, deputy commander of the Fourth Regiment, received the task of entering the city. Crowds gathered outside the Government House and welcomed Şerafettin, Cavalry Lieutenant Ali Rıza Bey and Lieutenant Hamdi Bey as they raised the Turkish flag.

I respectfully and appreciatively remember the effort and sacrifice shown by your armies in reaching the Mediterranean objective I first set. I sincerely thank and congratulate my esteemed comrades, the true creators of this great victory.

· Mustafa Kemal PashaA congratulatory message to the Turkish army after the victory.

A cavalry unit under Captain Zeki moved to Sarıkışla, while Major Reşat Bey, commander of the Fourth Regiment, raised the Turkish flag at Kadifekale. Seydiköy, Seferihisar, Urla and Çeşme were subsequently described as liberated on September 10, 11, 12 and 16 respectively.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha entered İzmir on September 10 with Marshal Fevzi Pasha, Western Front commander İsmet Pasha and Lieutenant Colonel Asım Bey. Large crowds filled the area between the Government House and the Konak ferry pier, greeting him with cheers. From the Government House balcony, he told the crowd, “The victory is not mine, it belongs to your nation.” The article presents İzmir’s liberation as the final major moment of the Turkish War of Independence and recalls congratulatory messages from abroad.

The victory is not mine, it belongs to your nation.

· Mustafa Kemal PashaHis address to the crowd from the balcony of İzmir Government House.
About this summary

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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