Memory of the martyrs of the "Beach Raid" in the TRNC
Memory of the martyrs of the "Beach Raid" in the TRNC
A commemoration ceremony was held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for 11 Turks who became martyrs during the "Beach Raid" carried out by militants of the Greek Cypriot terrorist organization EOKA 61 years ago.
The ceremony, held at the Museum of Barbarism in Nicosia, was attended by the President of the TRNC Ersin Tatar, as well as ministers, deputies, military officers, citizens and students.
The ceremony, which began with the laying of a wreath at the monument, continued with a minute of silence, a shot of respect and the raising of flags to the accompaniment of the National Anthem.
Speaking at the ceremony, TRNC President Ersin Tatar said they would never forget the attempted genocide against Turkish Cypriots 61 years ago as part of the Akritas Plan, which provides for the unification of Cyprus with Greece.
Stating that they are indebted to the martyrs and veterans for having an independent state today, Tatar said: "Building the future, an independent TRNC will definitely become part of the agreement. The existence of the Turkish Republic is also our red line. I'm shouting about it in the presence of our martyrs."
Pointing out that federation, which some circles have expressed as a solution, is a step that could lead the people to the same danger and uncertainty in Cyprus, Tatar pointed out that an agreement on the island would only be within the framework of the sovereignty of the two states.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Martyrs' Families and Disabled Veterans, Ibrahim Achman said that they would never forget the barbarism that took place 61 years ago in a house called the Museum of Barbarism, and that they would not allow it to be forgotten.
Stating that an inhumane massacre took place in the house, which was turned into a Museum of Barbarism, Achman said that the brutality against the family of Major Nihat Ilkhan has gone down in history as the most brutal attack.
After the speeches, the ceremony ended with a trip to the Museum of Barbarism.
Bloody Christmas
The armed attacks by Greek Cypriots on Turkish Cypriots on December 21, 1963, were called "Bloody Christmas" and were considered the beginning of systematic attacks on Turks on the island.
On the night of December 20, 1963, prisoners Khalil and Jemalie Emirali became martyrs as a result of fire opened on their cars in the Takhtakale area of Nicosia.
Gangs of Greek Cypriots killed 11 people, including the wife and three children of Major Nihat Ilhan, who served as a doctor in a Turkish regiment in Cyprus, in attacks known as the "Beach Raid" on December 24, 1963 in the Koumsal area of Nicosia.
The house in Nicosia, where the wife of Major Ilkhan Muruvvet Ilkhan and his children Murat, Kutsi and Hakan were found dead in the bathroom, was later opened to visitors under the name Museum of Barbarism.