Why was the Cyprus Landing?

realized in 1974 Cyprus Peace Operationhas fundamentally changed the island's history and regional security. This military intervention was a major strategic step, targeting tensions and threats between the two communities in Cyprus. In this paper, we will examine in detail the main reasons for the Cyprus landings, the consequences of the operation and its impact on the region. First, you will explore how crises on the island and international relations came together. You will then learn how the operation affected peace and stability on the island and shaped the strategic balance in the region.

The Main Reasons for the Landing in Cyprus

The 1974 Peace Operation in Cyprus was carried out to ensure the security of the Turkish Cypriots living on the island and to find a solution against the threat of Enosis. This operation is of great importance in terms of fulfilling Turkey's guarantor responsibility and restoring peace on the island. Here are the main reasons for the Cyprus landing:

• The Need to Ensure the Security of the Turkish Cypriots: The events in Cyprus in the 1960s created great pressure on the Turkish community. The Greek Cypriots' exclusion of Turks from state institutions in line with the goal of Enosis (the annexation of Cyprus to Greece) increased the incidents of violence on the island. Turkish Cypriots suffered great losses during the events known as "Bloody Christmas" that started in 1963. Turkey decided to intervene in the island in order to protect the security of Turkish Cypriots and end these attacks.
• Enosis Threat and Greek Cypriots' Annulment of the Constitution: The Republic of Cyprus, which was established in 1960, granted equal rights to the Turkish and Greek communities on the island with the London and Zurich Agreements. However, the Greek Cypriot leadership was not loyal to these agreements and excluded the Turks with the constitutional annulment that effectively ended the Republic of Cyprus in 1963. The Greek Cypriots' efforts to annex Cyprus to Greece in line with the goal of Enosis posed a great threat to the Turkish people on the island.
• EOKA Terrorist Organization and Massacres: The Greek terrorist organization EOKA carried out brutal attacks against the Turkish Cypriots. The massacres, especially between 1963-1974, seriously jeopardized the right to life of the Turks on the island. Turkey took action to put an end to these attacks and protect the Turkish Cypriot people. The Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974 went down in history as an intervention to eliminate this threat.
• Turkey's Guarantor Responsibility: With the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey, Britain and Greece were recognized as guarantor states to protect the independence and integrity of Cyprus. Within the framework of this responsibility, Turkey had the right to intervene in crises on the island. The 1974 coup d'état and the ensuing violence forced Turkey to intervene in Cyprus by exercising its guarantor rights. This intervention was carried out to ensure the safety of Turkish Cypriots and to restore peace on the island.

Results of the Cyprus Peace Operation

The results of the Cyprus Peace Operation had a profound impact on the future of the island. Here are the main results of the operation:

• Restoring Peace and Stability in Cyprus: Launched on July 20, 1974, the Cyprus Peace Operation aimed to restore peace and stability on the island. The intervention of the Turkish Armed Forces aimed to protect the security of the Turkish Cypriot community and to stop Greek-Greek attacks. As a result of the operation, a balance was achieved between the two communities on the island of Cyprus and a long-lasting peace was established on the island.
• The Division of Cyprus and the Establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: After the operation, the island of Cyprus was de facto divided into two. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established on 15 November 1983 and recognized as an independent state by Turkey. In the south, the Republic of Cyprus continued to exist. This division deepened the political and social divisions between the two communities on the island.
• The Agenda of the Cyprus Problem in the International Community: The Cyprus Peace Operation resonated greatly with the international community and brought the Cyprus problem to the forefront of global attention. The United Nations and other international organizations closely followed the situation on the island and took various initiatives to seek a solution. The international agreements and negotiations following the operation paved the way for ongoing discussions on the future of the island.
• Turkey's Strategic Influence on Cyprus: After the Peace Operation, Turkey's strategic influence on Cyprus became evident. Turkey's military presence and political influence played an important role in the effort to ensure long-term security and stability on the island. This reinforced regional security dynamics and Turkey's strategic importance in the Mediterranean.
• Property and Migration Problems in Cyprus: As a result of the operation, large-scale property and migration problems emerged in Cyprus. While Turkish Cypriots claimed the properties abandoned by the Greek Cypriots who migrated, Greek Cypriots seized the properties of Turkish Cypriots who migrated from Northern Cyprus. These problems left lasting effects on the social and economic structure of the island and became an important part of the settlement processes.

The Impact of the Cyprus Landings on the Region

The Cyprus Peace Operation, a military operation carried out on July 20, 1974, played a critical role in ensuring regional security and stability. Turkey's operation aimed to protect the Turkish Cypriots from Greek-Greek attacks and to restore peace on the island. The operation created a long-term security environment by reducing tensions on the island, thus reinforcing the strategic importance of Cyprus.

Moreover, this military intervention marked an important turning point in international diplomacy and relations. Turkey's military intervention had a widespread impact on the international community and paved the way for the acceleration of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. Turkey's role in Cyprus became a prominent issue in international relations and reshaped the strategic balances in the region.

Economically, the operation led to the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the northern part of Cyprus and strengthened economic and trade relations between Turkey and this new entity. The strategic location of Cyprus has led to significant shifts in the security of energy routes and the regional balance of power.

These results clearly demonstrate the impact of the Cyprus Peace Operation on regional security, diplomacy and economy.