Cyprus Commemorates 52 Years Since Turkish Invasion

On July 20, 2024, Cyprus marks the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion that occurred in 1974, following a Greek-backed coup. Air raid sirens were sounded across the southern Greek Cypriot-controlled area to commemorate the exact time Turkish forces landed on the island.

The military commemorations in the Turkish Cypriot north, a self-declared state recognized only by Ankara, highlight the ongoing tensions. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to visit Cyprus from July 27 to July 29, aiming to revive the long-stalled peace process.

Cypriot President Niko Christodoulides continues to advocate for a federal reunification of the island, while the Turkish Cypriot leadership insists on the recognition of two sovereign states. The historical context includes Turkey's military intervention in 1974, which escalated tensions and violence on the island, following Cyprus's independence from Britain.