Turkey took over half of Cyprus in 1974 following a military intervention in response to a coup attempt backed by Greece.
More comprehensive response question
In 1974, Turkey launched a military operation, codenamed Operation Attila, in response to a coup attempt in Cyprus backed by Greece. The operation aimed to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority on the island, which had been facing violence and discrimination from the Greek Cypriot majority.
As a result of the military intervention, Turkey gained control of approximately 37% of Cyprus’s territory, which it established as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The international community has not recognized this entity as a sovereign state and considers it to be occupied territory.
According to the United Nations, the conflict resulted in the displacement of approximately 180,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots from their homes. The division of the island has remained contentious, and several attempts to reunify Cyprus have failed.
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akıncı, has stated, “We need to think about ways to end this unjust situation that has continued for 45 years.” Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has also called for a solution to the Cyprus dispute, stating that “peace and security for the whole Eastern Mediterranean European Union complex are dependent upon resolution of the Cyprus issue.”
Interesting facts about the conflict include:
The invasion of Cyprus was condemned by the United Nations Security Council.
The United States imposed an arms embargo on Turkey in response to the conflict.
The Green Line, which separates the two sides of Cyprus, is about 180 kilometers (112 miles) long and is monitored by United Nations peacekeeping forces.
Despite the ongoing tensions, both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island share similar dishes, such as kleftiko and baklava, which are rooted in the island’s common history and culture.
A table could be included to provide a visual representation of key events and dates, such as:
Year
Event
1960
Cyprus gains independence from Britain
1963
Inter-communal violence breaks out on the island
1974
Coup attempt in Cyprus backed by Greece
1974
Turkey launches military operation in Cyprus
1983
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared
2004
UN-sponsored referendum on a reunification plan fails
2017
UN-brokered talks between the two sides collapse
This video contains the answer to your query
The video “1974: Turkish Invasion of Cyprus Captured Up Close” shows footage of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The Turks are warned to find underground shelter before the Turkish airborne invasion commences, and paratroopers land in waves with 60 paratroopers per aircraft. The Greek-controlled national guard does not respond. Turkish troops carrying light weapons make their way towards Gonielli and the airfield as Turkish jet fighters appear, dive-bombing positions close to Nicosia. There is a significant helicopter assault in the afternoon. Over a thousand Turkish troops are observed landing on the plains around Gonielli, less than two miles from Nicosia, and they quickly establish strategic positions around the city.
Identified other solutions on the web
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Date
20 July – 18 August 1974 (4 weeks and 1 day)
Territorial changes
Turkey occupies 36.2% of Cyprus Formation of the Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration
August 1974
Following the breakdown of peace talks, Turkish forces enlarged their original beachhead in August 1974 resulting in the capture of approximately 36% of the island.
Date: 20 July – 18 August 1974, (4 weeks and 1 day)
What happened to Cyprus after the Turkish invasion?
Answer: The Turkish invasion ended in the partition of Cyprus along the UN-monitored Green Line, which still divides Cyprus, and the formation of a de facto Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration in the north. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared independence, although Turkey is the only country that recognises it.
When did Turkey declare independence from Northern Cyprus?
Response will be: In 1983 the Turkish Cypriot assembly declared independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Immediately upon this declaration Britain convened a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to condemn the declaration as "legally invalid".
Is Cyprus still divided?
As an answer to this: NPR’s Peter Kenyon reports that, for now, those prospects remain dim. PETER KENYON, BYLINE: Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-inspired coup toppled the sitting Cypriot president and Turkey quickly invaded, with the military winding up in control of about a third of the island.
Where did the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus come from?
The response is: For example, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, located in the northern portion of the island of Cyprus, came about throughfrom only one state — Turkey, upon which it is entirely dependent for economic, political and military support. ^ Navaro-Yashin, Yael (12 March 2012).
What happened to Cyprus after the Turkish invasion?
The response is: The Turkish invasion ended in the partition of Cyprus along the UN-monitored Green Line, which still divides Cyprus, and the formation of a de facto Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration in the north. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared independence, although Turkey is the only country that recognises it.
How many Cypriots were born when Turkish troops first invaded Cyprus?
Response to this: Close to two-thirds of Cypriots were not yet born when Turkish troops first invaded the country. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus ( UNFICYP) maintains the separation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots but it has failed to stop ( let alone reverse) Turkey’s ethnic cleansing of the northern third of the island.
Is Cyprus still divided?
Answer to this: NPR’s Peter Kenyon reports that, for now, those prospects remain dim. PETER KENYON, BYLINE: Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek-inspired coup toppled the sitting Cypriot president and Turkey quickly invaded, with the military winding up in control of about a third of the island.
When did Turkey declare independence from Northern Cyprus?
Answer: In 1983 the Turkish Cypriot assembly declared independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Immediately upon this declaration Britain convened a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to condemn the declaration as "legally invalid".
Addition to the subject
Thematic fact:As many as 200,000 Cypriots were forcefully driven away from their homes and became refugees in their own homeland as Turkey split the island in two, occupying around 35% of the island.An estimated 5,000 people were killed during the invasion and 1,619 were reported missing, but many historians believe the true toll of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus could be much higher.
Did you know:An estimated 5,000 people were killed during the invasion and 1,619 were reported missing, but many historians believe the true toll of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus could be much higher.This was only the first part of the Cyprus tragedy, however. On that day Turkey launched its “Second Peace Operation”, which eventually resulted in the Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus.
Did you know that,Since the Turkish invasion over 120,000 Turks have been brought to the north from Anatolia in violation of Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, to occupy the homes of the Greek Cypriot refugees.Makarios narrowly escaped death in the attack. In the same judgment Turkey was found guilty of violating the rights of the Turkish Cypriots by authorising the trial of civilians by a military court.
