Turkey marks 97th anniversary of Gallipoli Victory

Turkey is marking the 97th anniversary of March 18 Martyrs' Day and Dardanelles Naval Victory today, Hurriyet Daily News reports. 

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç laid a wreath on modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Monument in the western province of Çanakkale to mark March 18 Martyrs' Day and Dardanelles Naval Victory. 

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.