World Bulletin / News Desk

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will not use the motto “Strong Army, Strong Turkey,” used for Victory Week celebrations from Aug. 25 to Aug. 30, in this year's celebrations following mounting criticism of the well-known slogan.

The TSK released new mottos for this year's celebrations on its website. “Victory belongs to the one who claims it,” a remark by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the republic, is displayed on the first banner, titled “The Path to Victory in the War of Independence,” posted on the site.

The second banner has a similar theme and wishes the Turkish nation a happy Victory Day.

The previous motto, “Strong Army, Strong Turkey,” had stirred debates and discussions on the role of the army in politics.

 Democrats and intellectuals demanded a change, claiming that the military puts the well-being of the armed forces above that of the country. For a strong Turkey, the military suggested, a strong army needed to be built first.