NATO deletes post again: August 30 message featuring Turkish soldier in Afrin

The NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM), based in İzmir, deleted a social media post celebrating Victory Day on August 30 following backlash over the photograph used in the message. 

The initial message featured a photograph of a Turkish soldier standing guard in front of the Afrin Hospital, which was built by Turkey following Operation Olive Branch. After reactions to the photo intensified on social media, LANDCOM removed the post and published the same celebratory message with a new photograph.

GREECE REACTED TO THE POST

LANDCOM had also deleted a message it shared in 2022 for the 100th anniversary of Victory Day on August 30. That post had used a photograph of Turkish soldiers and stated, "Happy Victory Day." Greece had described that post as 'unacceptable' and filed an official complaint with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The post was deleted following the backlash.

In 2023, another post by LANDCOM highlighted the hospitality and professionalism Turkey has shown since joining NATO in 1952. However, Greece stated that linking Turkey's national day to a victory against an allied country was unacceptable and sent a written letter of protest to the NATO Secretary General.