The Turkish invasion of Cyprus was caused by the desire to protect the Turkish-Cypriot minority on the island and to maintain strategic influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 was a result of political tension and ethnic conflict on the island. The majority Greek-Cypriot population sought to unify with Greece while the minority Turkish-Cypriot population feared discrimination and violence. The situation escalated when a Greek-backed coup d’état overthrew the government of Cyprus in July 1974.
Turkey saw this as a threat to the security of the Turkish-Cypriot community and intervened militarily, citing its right to protect its kin and strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish forces quickly gained control of the northern part of the island, leading to a de facto division of the island into a Greek-Cypriot south and a Turkish-Cypriot north.
According to a report by the United Nations, the Turkish invasion resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot, and left lasting wounds on the island. The conflict and division continue to impact the political and social climate of Cyprus today.
In the words of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “The division of Cyprus has resulted in economic underdevelopment, social dislocation, and a waste of resources. It has also increased the risks of conflicts in the region.”
Some interesting facts on the Turkish invasion of Cyprus are:
- The Turkish military operation, named “Operation Attila”, began on July 20, 1974.
- Turkey had around 40,000 troops involved in the invasion, facing only around 8,000 Greek-Cypriot National Guard soldiers.
- The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 5,000 people and the disappearance of around 2,000.
- In 1983, the Turkish-Cypriot north declared itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, but it is not recognized by the international community except by Turkey.
- The UN has maintained a peacekeeping force on the island since 1964, and it continues to monitor the ceasefire line between the two communities.
Table:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 15, 1974 | Greek-backed coup d’état overthrows the government of Cyprus |
| July 20, 1974 | Turkey launches “Operation Attila” and invades Cyprus |
| August 14-16, 1974 | Second phase of Turkish invasion |
| August 23, 1974 | UN Security Council adopts ceasefire resolution |
| September 13, 1974 | Turkish ceasefire takes effect, leading to the de facto division of the island |
| November 15, 1983 | Turkish-Cypriot north declares itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” |
| Ongoing | UN peacekeeping force monitors the ceasefire line between the two communities |
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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.
There are alternative points of view
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus was caused by more than a decade of sporadic inter-communal violence between the islands Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots resulting from the constitutional breakdown of 1963. In 1974, Turkey invaded the northern portion of the Republic of Cyprus in response to a military coup taking place on the island, in attempt to annex the island to Greece. Turkey claimed that this was an intervention in accordance to Treaty of Guarantee.
The invasion came after more than a decade of sporadic inter-communal violence between the islands Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots resulting from the constitutional breakdown of 1963. [1] Turkey invoked its role as a guarantor under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee in justification for occupying Northern Cyprus.
In 1974, Turkey invaded the northern portion of the Republic of Cyprus in response to a military coup taking place on the island, in attempt to annex the island to Greece. Turkey claimed that this was an intervention in accordance to Treaty of Guarantee.
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Furthermore, people ask
How did the Turkish invasion of Cyprus start?
As an answer to this: The invasion started with armed troops landing at sunrise and instantly met Greek and Greek Cypriot opposition upon being on Cypriot soil. The Turkish troops had a clear strategy on their invasion, this was a clear and hold tactic where they would gain hold of a position, clear it of Greek Cypriots and hold on to the land.
Why did Turkey annex Cyprus?
The response is: Topography of Cyprus. In 1974, Turkey captured the northern portion of the Republic of Cyprus in response to a military coup taking place on the island, in attempt to annex the island to Greece. Turkey claimed that this was an intervention in accordance to Treaty of Guarantee.
Why did Turkey invade Nicosia in 1964?
Violence in Nicosia followed soon after. In 1964, the Cyprus National Guard intervened militarily against a perceived Turkish Cypriot militant threat in the north-west of the island, in and near to the Kokkina enclave, leading to direct confrontation with Turkey, who responded militarily but stopped short of invasion.
What happened to Turkish Cypriots in 1974?
As an answer to this: The coup staged by the military junta in Athens resulted in further bloodshed in the form of massacres of Turkish Cypriots and through clashes between anti- and pro-coup Greek Cypriot factions. During the events of 1974 more Turkish Cypriots went missing who remain unaccounted for until today.
Why have Turkish troops invaded Northern Cyprus?
Thousands of Turkish troops have invaded northern Cyprus after last-minute talks in the Greek capital, Athens, failed to reach a solution. Tension has been running high in the Mediterranean island since a military coup five days ago in which President Archbishop Makarios, a Greek Cypriot, was deposed.
Why did Turkey annex Cyprus?
Answer will be: Topography of Cyprus. In 1974, Turkey captured the northern portion of the Republic of Cyprus in response to a military coup taking place on the island, in attempt to annex the island to Greece. Turkey claimed that this was an intervention in accordance to Treaty of Guarantee.
Why did Turkey invade Nicosia in 1964?
In reply to that: Violence in Nicosia followed soon after. In 1964, the Cyprus National Guard intervened militarily against a perceived Turkish Cypriot militant threat in the north-west of the island, in and near to the Kokkina enclave, leading to direct confrontation with Turkey, who responded militarily but stopped short of invasion.
Why did the Ottoman Empire occupy Cyprus?
At some point, the Ottoman Empire occupied Cyprus for 300 years. During that time, thousands of Ottomans from Turkey came to Cyprus and settled on the island. This is how it all started with Turkish. When it was the revolution of 1821 in Greece against the Turkish, Archbishop of Cyprus Kyprianos was sending money to support the revolution.