Turkish vice president marks 1071 victory at Malazgirt

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA

Turkey’s vice president on Sunday marked the anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt, a historic victory for Turks in Anatolia nearly a millennium ago.

"I commemorate Sultan Alparslan and the glorious martyrs with mercy and gratitude on the 947th anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt, which opened up Anatolia for us," Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.

The Battle of Malazgirt on Aug. 26, 1071 saw Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.