Turkey remembers fallen WWI soldiers with massive march

By Yunus Okur and Cuneyt Celik

KARS, Turkey (AA) - Thousands of people marched on the streets on Sunday in Turkey's eastern province of Kars to commemorate the martyrs of Sarikamis operation.

The starting point of the march was Kizilcubuk, where the operation began against the Russian Caucasus Army.

The walk marks the 103rd anniversary of the operation in which nearly 90,000 Turkish soldiers froze to death in 1914.

The crowd comprising of people from all ages gathered under the 'Turkey March with Martyrs' banner.

They began their 4.5-kilometer (2.7-mile) walk to the memorial area in biting cold weather.

Askin Bak, the minister of youth and sports, and Ahmet Arslan, the minister of transport, maritime affairs and communication, are also participating in the march.

Turkish aerobatics team Solo Turk will also perform during the commemoration.