Ankara / Anadolu

Burhanettin Duran, head of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, said his country, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will continue to support the just cause of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, based on sovereign equality and international status.

This came in a post he shared on the Turkish social media platform 'In Social' on Monday, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the 'Peace Operation' launched by Ankara in Cyprus.

Duran added: 'The epic heroism written on July 20, 1974, marked a historical turning point in the struggle of Turkish Cypriots for freedom and security, and established a period of peace and stability on the island.'

He affirmed that Turkey will continue to defend the rights of Turkish Cypriots in all areas, and prayed for mercy for the Turkish soldiers and Cypriot fighters who lost their lives during the 'Peace Operation'.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus celebrates 'Peace and Freedom Day' on July 20 each year, commemorating the launch of the military 'Peace Operation' carried out by Turkey on the island in 1974.

On that date, Turkey launched the military operation on the island following a coup led by Nikos Sampson against Cypriot President Makarios III on the 15th of the same month.

The coup was carried out with the support of the ruling military junta in Greece, while Greek Cypriot armed groups targeted the Turkish inhabitants of the island.

The Turkish army began a second military operation on August 14, 1974, and both operations succeeded in achieving their objectives, and a prisoner exchange agreement was signed between the two sides on September 16 of the same year.

On February 13, 1975, the 'Turkish Federated State of Cyprus' was established in the northern part of the island, and the late Rauf Denktaş was elected president of the country, which later became known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.