Erdoğan reaffirms Turkeys support for Turkish Cypriots on 1974 invasion anniversary

On July 20, 2026, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz marked the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, reaffirming Turkey's support for Turkish Cypriots and discussing the impact of the 1974 invasion.
On July 20, 1974, Turkey launched its invasion of Cyprus, occupying roughly 37% of the island. The invasion followed a Greek-backed coup that overthrew the Greek Cypriot President Makarios III. The conflict resulted in the deaths of around 3,000 people, mostly civilians, and 1,619 were reported missing. The occupation continues to this day, making the Republic of Cyprus the only European Union member state under occupation.
President Erdoğan commemorated the anniversary by honoring martyrs and veterans, vowing that Turkey will never leave Turkish Cypriots alone in their "just struggle." Turkish naval vessels were opened to public visits in Kyrenia as part of the commemorations.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz stated that Turkey's invasion brought peace not only to Turkish Cypriots but to the entire island. He made these remarks during a military parade in north Nicosia.
The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution acknowledging the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on Cypriot women and girls. The resolution calls for the documentation of testimonies and support for survivors, highlighting the need for historical recognition and justice.
The Cyprus Presidency issued a statement on the anniversary, calling the occupation one of the greatest crimes in post-war European history. The statement also criticized Turkey for refusing to provide answers about the fate of the missing and for expanding illegal settlements.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman also made statements marking the anniversary. Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to defending the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots, while Erhurman stressed the need for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Cyprus next week in an effort to revive the stalled peace process.
The historical context of Cyprus is marked by intercommunal violence and human suffering. The 1974 invasion followed a period of violence and a coup d'état by the Greek military junta. The invasion resulted in widespread loss of life, mass displacement, and enforced disappearances.
The occupied territory in the north is recognized only by Turkey, while the territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus in the south is recognized internationally.
The anniversary was marked with various events, including a memorial service at the Makedonitissa Tomb military cemetery in Nicosia.
House president Annita Demetriou vowed to continue efforts to determine the fate of every missing person from the 1974 invasion, calling it an unfulfilled debt to their families and to Cyprus.
Turkish Cypriot minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu defended Turkey's guarantor role in Cyprus, stating that Turkish Cypriots will never relinquish Ankara's unilateral right to intervene on the island.
The Cyprus issue remains an international issue of illegal invasion and occupation of a state that is a member of both the EU and the UN.
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