Turks occupied Cyprus in 1974 after a coup backed by Greece.
Complete answer
In 1974, Turkish troops carried out a full-scale invasion of Cyprus after a coup backed by the military regime in Athens. The conflict led to the division of the island into two parts, the Turkish Cypriot-controlled northern region, and the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot-led Republic of Cyprus in the south.
According to the United Nations, the Turkish Cypriot army used air and naval forces to invade Cyprus following the coup, resulting in a displacement of around 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes in the north. Despite numerous UN resolutions condemning the Turkish occupation, Turkey has remained in control of the northern part of the island for decades.
The division of the island has resulted in a fragile political situation, with continued tensions between the two sides. The ongoing occupation has also led to allegations of human rights abuses, including the forced disappearance of Cypriots of Greek origin.
As former U.S. President Bill Clinton said in 2002, “Cyprus has been the victim of military occupation for nearly a quarter of a century. It is time for this occupation to end and for Cyprus to be reunited. It is time to give the people of Cyprus the peace, security, and dignity that they deserve.”
Here are some interesting facts about the Turkish occupation of Cyprus:
- The conflict led to the displacement of over 180,000 Greek Cypriots and around 50,000 Turkish Cypriots.
- The Green Line, a buffer zone separating the two sides, is patrolled by UN peacekeeping forces.
- The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established in 1983, is only recognized as a sovereign state by Turkey.
- The border crossing between the two sides was opened in 2003, allowing people to travel freely between the north and south for the first time in over 30 years.
- The occupied north is home to one of the world’s oldest trees, a 2,000-year-old olive tree in the village of Myrtou.
Here is a table comparing the differences between the Greek Cypriot-led Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot-controlled northern region:
| Republic of Cyprus | Turkish Cypriot-controlled Northern Region | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 9,251 square km | 3,355 square km |
| Population | 1,189,265 (2019) | 326,000 (2018) |
| Currency | Euro | Turkish lira |
| Language | Greek, Turkish | Turkish |
| Government | Presidential | Semi-presidential |
| Recognition | Internationally recognized | Only recognized by Turkey |
| Capital | Nicosia | Nicosia |
| Time zone | Eastern European Time | Eastern European Time |
A visual response to the word “When did Turks occupy Cyprus?”
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.
Other responses to your question
In 1571 the mostly Greek-populated island of Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, following the Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573).
Cyprus which was ruled by different suzerains, but which never in its entire history came under Greek rule, was conquered by the Ottomans in 1571 and ruled by them until 1878.
More interesting questions on the issue
Keeping this in consideration, When was the Turkish invasion of Cyprus? The day of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, July 20, 1974, was the day time stopped for Cyprus, a day of infamy when the course of the nation’s history changed forever. For Cypriots, the ongoing crime of the Turkish occupation of their beloved country seems as fresh at each anniversary as it was then.
Why did Turkey occupy Northern Cyprus?
Response will be: Turkey invoked its role as a guarantor under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee in justification for occupying Northern Cyprus. Turkish forces invaded the island in two waves, occupying 37 percent of the island’s territory in the north-east.
When did the Turkish Cypriot community become a state?
Response to this: After the referendum, in June 2004, the Turkish Cypriot community, despite the objection of the Cypriot government, had its designation at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, of which it has been an observer since 1979, changed to the "Turkish Cypriot State".
In this regard, When did Turkey declare independence from Northern Cyprus? Answer to this: 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".
Moreover, When was the Turkish invasion of Cyprus?
As an answer to this: The day of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, July 20, 1974, was the day time stopped for Cyprus, a day of infamy when the course of the nation’s history changed forever. For Cypriots, the ongoing crime of the Turkish occupation of their beloved country seems as fresh at each anniversary as it was then.
Then, Who inhabited the Turkish Cypriot enclaves?
In reply to that: The Turkish Cypriot enclaves were inhabited by Turkish Cypriots between the intercommunal violence of 1963–64 and the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus .
Did Turkey occupy Cyprus? The international community found this declaration invalid, on the ground that Turkey had occupied territory belonging to Cyprus and that the putative state was therefore an infringement on Cypriot sovereignty. ^ James Ker-Lindsay; Hubert Faustmann; Fiona Mullen (15 May 2011).
Also question is, Did Turkish Cypriots withdraw from the Republic of Cyprus? Answer: The nature of this event is controversial. Greek Cypriots claim that Turkish Cypriots voluntarily withdrew from the institutions of the Republic of Cyprus, while the Turkish Cypriot narrative has it that the Turkish Cypriots were forcibly excluded.