Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus was a major military operation launched by Turkey against Cyprus in 1974, involving the Hellenic Army, Cypriot National Guard, and Turkish Armed Forces. The invasion was a response to the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état, which was backed by the Greek military junta and aimed to unite Cyprus with Greece. Key figures involved in the conflict included Makarios III, Glafcos Clerides, and Bülent Ecevit, who played important roles in the United Nations and European Economic Community.

Background

The Cyprus dispute has its roots in the Ottoman Empire's rule over Cyprus from 1571 to 1878, followed by British colonial rule from 1878 to 1960. The London-Zurich Agreements of 1959 and the Treaty of Guarantee established Cyprus as an independent state, with Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom as guarantor powers. However, tensions between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots persisted, with key events including the Battle of Tylliria and the Coup d'état of July 1974, which was supported by the Greek military junta and opposed by Makarios III and the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to maintain peace and stability on the island, with the support of U Thant and Kurt Waldheim.

Causes of the Invasion

The 1974 Cypriot coup d'état was a key factor leading to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, as it aimed to unite Cyprus with Greece and was backed by the Greek military junta. The coup was opposed by Turkey, which cited the Treaty of Guarantee as a justification for its military intervention, with the support of Bülent Ecevit and the Turkish Parliament. The United States, under the leadership of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, played a significant role in the events leading up to the invasion, with the CIA and NSA providing intelligence to the Turkish government. Other key players included the Soviet Union, under the leadership of Leonid Brezhnev, and the European Economic Community, which included countries such as France, Germany, and Italy.

Military Operations

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus began on July 20, 1974, with the Turkish Air Force launching airstrikes against Cypriot National Guard positions, followed by a Turkish Navy amphibious landing at Kyrenia. The Greek Cypriots and Cypriot National Guard resisted the invasion, but were ultimately forced to retreat, with key battles including the Battle of Pentemili and the Battle of Nicosia International Airport. The United Nations Security Council passed UNSC Resolution 353, calling for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Turkish troops, with the support of China, France, and the United Kingdom. The Turkish Armed Forces established a buffer zone across the island, which remains in place to this day, with the support of United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the European Union.

Aftermath and Reactions

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the island or abroad, including countries such as Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The United Nations Security Council passed several resolutions, including UNSC Resolution 360 and UNSC Resolution 361, calling for the protection of civilians and the restoration of human rights, with the support of International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The European Economic Community and the Council of Europe also condemned the invasion, with key figures including François Mitterrand and Helmut Schmidt.

Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced and many forced to live in refugee camps, including the Kofinou refugee camp and the Lakatamia refugee camp. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross played key roles in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected, with the support of UNICEF and the World Food Programme. The European Union and the Council of Europe also provided significant aid and support, with key figures including Jacques Delors and Ruud Lubbers.

Political Consequences

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus had significant political consequences, including the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey, and the ongoing division of the island, with key figures including Rauf Denktaş and Mehmet Ali Talat. The United Nations has continued to play a key role in efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute, with the support of Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. The European Union has also been involved in efforts to resolve the dispute, with key figures including Javier Solana and Catherine Ashton. The Annan Plan and the 2004 referendum were significant attempts to resolve the dispute, but ultimately failed to achieve a lasting solution, with the support of United States and the United Kingdom.