102nd anniversary of Kut al-Amara victory commemorated

WASIT, Iraq

The 102nd anniversary of the Kut al-Amara victory against the British was commemorated on Sunday at the Ottoman Turkish Martyrs cemetery in eastern Iraq.

Fatih Yildiz, Turkey’s ambassador in Baghdad, described Kut al-Amara as a joint Turkish-Iraqi victory in a speech he delivered in the city of Kut to mark the anniversary.

“We need to take a lesson from the unity and solidarity that our ancestors had in history against plans to divide the people in the region,” Yildiz said.

“Let our unity always continue in peace,” he added.

Wasit governor Mahmoud Abd al-Rida Mulla Talal underlined the importance of cooperation between the Iraqi and Turkish governments, saying: “Being here is important to refresh our 450-year-long relations. Our solidarity should continue in order to build our common future.”

The battle of Kut al-Amara took place during the First World War between the Ottoman Army and British-Indian forces in the town of Kut, which is now in modern Iraq.

Reporting by Haydar Hadi; Writing by Nilay Kar