Turkey marks March 18 Martyrs' Day

A ceremony was held at a Turkish martyr's cemetery in Cairo on Monday to mark the 98th anniversary of March 18 Martyrs' Day and Canakkale Battles or the Gallipoli Campaign - one of the Turkish nation's greatest victories during the World War I - and to honor the fallen Turkish troops. Turkey's Ambassador in Cairo Huseyin Avni Botsali, staff of the Turkish embassy, representatives of the Turkish companies operating in Egypt and Turkish citizens residing in Egypt attended the ceremony. From April 25, 1915 to January 9, 1916, a joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Battle of Gelibolu (Gallipoli) restored the Turkish Army's prestige in the world and constituted a milestone in Turkish nation's struggle for independence. The events, considered the Ottoman Empire's biggest achievement during World War I, are known in the West as the "Gallipoli Campaign" or the "Battle of Gelibolu."