Richard Moore, the U.K. ambassador to Ankara, tweeted an unusual message on the occasion of the Gallipoli anniversary and congratulated Turkey on its victory against the Allied forces. "I honor the Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs Day of all our Turkish friends. All sides fought bravely in Çanakkale, but Turks deserved the victory," Moore tweeted in Turkish.
More surprisingly, the ambassador wrote "Çanakkale Geçilmez," which roughly translates to "Çanakkale is impassable," a well-known slogan for the victory that is emblazoned in a huge font on the hills overlooking the Dardanelles.
Reaction to Moore's Turkish tweets were mixed. Some Turks lauded the ambassador for honoring the day, which is a culmination of patriotic pride, while others derided him. Critics said it was "not brave" as Moore said since "the British had an easy victory as they pushed ANZACs to the forefront" in the battle, referring to the Australian and New Zealander soldiers. Some social media users also noted that the British "passed Gallipoli anyway," as they occupied Istanbul three years later following an armistice.
