The Turks took over Cyprus due to a desire to create a separate Turkish state on the island.
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The Turkish invasion of Cyprus occurred in 1974, following a coup in which the Greek Cypriot government sought to unite Cyprus with Greece. As a result, Turkey felt compelled to intervene and protect the Turkish-Cypriot minority on the island. The Turkish military launched a massive offensive, with air and land forces engaging in a full-scale invasion of Cyprus.
The goal of the Turkish invasion was to create a separate Turkish state on the island, and this was achieved with the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, the occupation has been highly controversial, with the international community condemning it as a violation of international law.
According to Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, “Peace at home, peace in the world” should be the guiding principle of Turkish foreign policy. However, Turkey’s actions in Cyprus have been seen as contradictory to this ideal.
Interesting facts on the topic of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus:
- The invasion resulted in the displacement of thousands of Greek Cypriots from their homes in the north of the island, as well as many Turkish Cypriots from their homes in the south.
- Despite the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the international community maintains that the country is not a legitimate state and only recognizes the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority on the island.
- The conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities on Cyprus dates back centuries, with both groups vying for control of the island.
- The United Nations has maintained a peacekeeping force on the island since 1964, but has been unable to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict.
- Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with a UN-administered buffer zone separating the north from the south.
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Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
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The coup staged by the Athens’ junta against the elected government of President Makarios on , served Turkey as a pretext to impose its divisive plans against Cyprus. On , Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating all rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
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In 1974 a Greek military coup, which aimed to unite the island with mainland Greece, led to a Turkish invasion and the division of the island between Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus remains divided to this day.