Ottoman flag returned to Turkey

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

AA Photo

A flag which symbolized the sovereignty of the Ottomans in Damascus 100 years ago but disappeared during World War I has been returned to Turkey, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik said, while providing information about the return of smuggled Turkish artifacts. 

“When the British forces arrived in Damascus, they occupied the Ottoman headquarters and remove this flag. General Allenby gave it to Master Sergeant Edgar Turner, who took the flag to Britain. The flag had been kept by the Turner family as a memento. His grandchild heard our calls to the world and wanted to return the flag. We have made a special place for it and will display it for the 100th anniversary of World War I. I consider the flag as the most precious artifact that was returned from a foreign country during my term,” said Çelik. 

He said he would ask President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to display the flag in the presidential palace.