103 years since the liberation of Istanbul: 6 October 1923

Türkiye marks the 103rd anniversary of the liberation of Istanbul on 6 October. On that day in 1923, Turkish troops under the command of Şükrü Naili Pasha marched ceremonially into the city, ending an occupation that had lasted nearly five years.

After the First World War, an Allied fleet had sailed into Istanbul in November 1918. Following victory in the War of Independence, the Treaty of Lausanne, signed on 24 July 1923, secured the withdrawal of the occupying forces. A few weeks later, on 29 October, the Republic of Türkiye was proclaimed.

Commemorations are being held across Istanbul, and the metropolitan municipality has made public transport free for the whole day.