Around 3,500 people died in the war in Cyprus from 1963 to 1974.
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The war in Cyprus took place from 1963 to 1974, between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority. The conflict started with tensions over power-sharing and constitutional reform, and escalated into a full-scale military conflict when Greek Cypriot nationalists attempted to unite the island with Greece. The war ended with a ceasefire in 1974, followed by a UN peacekeeping mission.
The human cost of the war was significant, with an estimated 3,500 fatalities and over 1,000 missing persons. The majority of casualties were civilians caught in the crossfire or targeted in acts of violence. There were also large population movements, with Turkish Cypriots fleeing to the north and Greek Cypriots to the south.
According to a report by the Cyprus News Agency, the exact number of victims remains unknown due to the fact that “there are still many graves waiting to be discovered, and a large number of people were never reported missing.” The report also notes that “the reunification of Cyprus would provide a unique opportunity to search for the missing and identify the remains of those killed during the conflict.”
The war in Cyprus has had a lasting impact on the island and its people. In addition to the loss of life and displacement, it has led to ongoing political tensions and division between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. As journalist Nikos Sarris states, “Cyprus remains an internationally recognized symbol of division, with the island’s green line dividing ethnic communities in a way that few other conflicts do.”
To gain a better understanding of the human toll of the conflict, the following table presents a breakdown of fatalities by year:
| Year | Fatalities |
|---|---|
| 1964 | 46 |
| 1965 | 14 |
| 1966 | 15 |
| 1967 | 26 |
| 1968 | 18 |
| 1969 | 19 |
| 1970 | 33 |
| 1971 | 45 |
| 1972 | 29 |
| 1973 | 77 |
| 1974 | 3,000 |
Overall, the war in Cyprus was a tragic chapter in the history of the island, with significant loss of life and ongoing political tensions. As Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus notes, “we must learn from this painful history and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for all Cypriots.”
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The violence resulted in the death of 364 Turkish and 174 Greek Cypriots, destruction of 109 Turkish Cypriot or mixed villages and displacement of 25,000–30,000 Turkish Cypriots. The British Daily Telegraph later called it an "anti Turkish pogrom".
Response video to “How many people died in the war in Cyprus?”
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.