United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus

United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus. Commonly known as the Green Line, it is a demilitarized zone established by the United Nations in 1974 following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The zone is patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and divides the island between the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north. It spans approximately 180 kilometers across the island and varies in width from a few meters in central Nicosia to several kilometers in the countryside.

History

The buffer zone was created in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July and August 1974, which came in response to a Greek junta-sponsored coup d'état aimed at union with Greece. Following the ceasefire, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 353 and subsequently Resolution 354, calling for a cessation of hostilities. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, initially deployed in 1964 after intercommunal violence, was mandated to supervise the ceasefire lines. The demarcation was initially marked in green pencil on a map by United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, leading to the name "Green Line."

Establishment and purpose

The formal establishment of the buffer zone was authorized by Security Council Resolution 186 and subsequent mandates. Its primary purpose is to prevent a recurrence of fighting and maintain the ceasefire between the Cypriot National Guard and the Turkish Armed Forces, along with Turkish Cypriot forces. The zone also serves to facilitate a return to normal conditions and support the United Nations' good offices mission for a comprehensive settlement, as outlined in various plans including the Annan Plan for Cyprus. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus is responsible for monitoring the zone and reporting any violations to the United Nations Security Council.

Geography and layout

The buffer zone stretches approximately 180 kilometers from the western village of Kato Pyrgos near the Gulf of Morphou, through the Troodos Mountains, to the eastern coastal village of Dhekelia, near the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. It cuts directly through the heart of the capital, Nicosia, where it is at its narrowest, bisecting landmarks like Ledra Street. In rural areas, such as near the city of Famagusta and around Morphou, the zone widens significantly, encompassing abandoned villages, farmland, and the sealed-off Nicosia International Airport.

Administration and operations

The day-to-day administration and military control of the buffer zone is the responsibility of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, headquartered in the Blue Beret Camp within the Nicosia International Airport compound. Operations involve daily patrols, observation posts, and liaison with both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot authorities through the United Nations Liaison Office. Civil administration, including permitting limited civilian activity like farming within parts of the zone, is managed by UNFICYP in coordination with the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Incidents and violations

Despite its purpose, the buffer zone has witnessed numerous incidents and violations over the decades. Major confrontations include the 1996 killing of Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou during protests near Deryneia. Military violations often involve incursions by forces from both sides, construction of unauthorized structures like the Turkish Army outpost at Strovilia, and confrontations over civilian demonstrations. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's opening of the Ledra Street crossing in 2008 was a significant political event managed within the zone's framework.

Impact and current status

The buffer zone remains a potent symbol of the island's division, physically separating communities and impacting economic and social life for decades. Its presence has frozen the status of areas like the ghost city of Famagusta (Varosha). Since the easing of restrictions in 2003, several crossing points have opened, including at Ledra Street, Ledra Palace, and Astromeritis, facilitating movement between the two sides. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus continues its mission under mandates renewed every six months by the United Nations Security Council, while political negotiations, such as those held in Crans-Montana, continue to seek a permanent resolution. Category:United Nations peacekeeping Category:Borders of Cyprus Category:Demilitarized zones