Turkey

Erdogan's Deputy: Ankara to Continue Strongly Supporting Turkish Cyprus

Cevdet Yılmaz said Turkey will remain by the side of Turkish Cypriots as the motherland and guarantor state..

Harun Kutbe, Muhammet Torunlu

19 July 2026 • Updated: 19 July 2026

ANKARA

Ankara / Anadolu

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said Ankara will continue to stand by Turkish Cypriots and will firmly maintain its strong support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

This came in a post on his account on the Turkish platform 'In Social' on Sunday, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish military 'Peace Operation' on the island.

Yılmaz noted that the Cyprus Peace Operation, carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces 52 years ago within the framework of rights and obligations arising from the Treaty of Guarantee, saved Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriot persecution and ensured their security and existence.

He added: 'Thus the foundations of lasting peace and stability on the island have been laid for more than half a century.'

He continued: 'Turkey, as the motherland and guarantor state, will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriot people as an authentic element and equal partner on the island, and will firmly maintain its strong support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.'

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

On July 20, 1974, Turkey launched the 'Peace Operation' on the island after it witnessed a military 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 what later became known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.