Veterans fire guns into air in southeastern Kilis during liberation day celebrations

KİLİS – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Despite the ban on using weapons during celebrations, many people used guns on Dec. 7 to commemorate the end of the occupation of Kilis, in southeastern Turkey, during the First World War.

No casualties or injuries were reported after the celebrations in the city. However, camera footage showed several men, in traditional dress, marching in the cortege and carelessly firing guns and rifles in into the air.

The 93rd anniversary of the end of enemy occupation in the city after World War I was celebrated by many people in a festive mood. Kilis Governor Süleyman Tapsız, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy Fuat Karakuş, Kilis Mayor Hasar Kara and Provincial Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen. Necmi İnce all gathered on the city's İslahiye Street.

They were joined by veterans, many of whom wore traditional clothes, from the neighboring provinces of Gaziantep, Adana, Osmaniye and Hatay. As the group began marching in the streets, the veterans began firing guns and rifles into the air, and a number of people were also seen firing guns into the air on top of buildings.

Firing real guns during celebrations was banned in the city after many people were wounded, and some were even killed, in the past. In the southeastern and eastern parts of the country, it is still a tradition to fire guns into the air as part of celebrations, such as weddings or events to mark the sending of men to the military. However, local security forces have begun to pay more attention in recent years to prevent such activities.