National day commemorations will not be postponed, Turkish interior minister says

ANKARA

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The anniversary of the country’s founding, Oct. 29 Republic Day, will be marked, while the commemoration of the death of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on Nov. 10 will not be postponed, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu announced on Oct. 19.

“The citizens who want to visit Anıtkabir can do so on Nov. 10,” Soylu told reporters, referring to the mausoleum of Atatürk, adding that official ceremonies and events were “separate cases.” 

“We take precautions from time to time,” he also said, replying to a question regarding a ban on all public gatherings and demonstrations throughout November in Ankara and the southeastern province of Gaziantep. 

“I expect those with responsibility to be more careful while we are in such a critical period. It is a waste of time to link the ban on events to Oct. 29 and Nov. 10. I expect sensitivity from everyone on the issue,” he added. 

Soylu said a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was neutralized in Ankara on Oct. 19 and that operations would continue.