Turkey will shape the region’s future: Erdoğan

Turkey will shape the future of the entire region upon reaching its 2023 vision goals, vowed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a Victory Day message published Wednesday.

“Like at every stage in our history, today we’re fighting for all the oppressed and destitute with the hope that binds us all together,” the message read.

“I believe that today we’re on the brink of new victories as well. Surely, we will win this fight together with those who put their trust in Turkey,” Erdoğan’s message concluded.

The Turkish leader’s message comes on the eve of the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, which is celebrated on Aug. 30, commemorating victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, in Turkey's Aegean province of Kütahya in 1922, as part of the Great Offensive.

The last week of August marks two key historical victories by Turkish forces: the Battle of Malazgirt on Aug. 26, 1071, which saw Seljuk Turks defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.

It also marks the start of the Great Offensive of Aug. 26, 1922, which saw invading Greek forces' eventual defeat at the hands of the Turkish army.