Turkey

Fidan: Turkey will continue to defend the rights of Turkish Cypriots

In a social media post by the Turkish foreign minister marking the 52nd anniversary of the 'Peace Operation' in Cyprus

Can Efesoy, Mohammad Kara Maryam

20 July 2026•Updated: 20 July 2026

ANKARA

Ankara / Anadolu

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that his country will firmly continue to defend the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.

This came in a post on the Turkish social media platform 'In Sosyal', marking the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish military 'Peace Operation' on the island.

Fidan explained that the 'Peace Operation' secured the freedom, security, and future of the Turkish Cypriot people, noting that Turkey celebrates its anniversary with pride and enthusiasm.

He added: '52 years ago, within the framework of the rights and obligations arising from the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, Turkey, shoulder to shoulder with our heroic mujahideen, ensured the safety of our Turkish Cypriot brothers who were facing the danger of extinction.'

He affirmed that Turkey, through the 'Peace Operation', guaranteed the survival of Turkish Cypriots on the island.

He pointed out that the Turkish army, through this operation, 'laid the foundations of peace and stability that have been ongoing for more than half a century' on the island.

He noted that Turkish Cypriots continue their lives in freedom, dignity, and security under the umbrella of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He stressed that Turkey, as the motherland and guarantor state, will continue, as always, to firmly defend the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.

Fidan ended his post by praying for mercy for the Turkish soldiers and mujahideen who were martyred in the 'Peace Operation', expressing his gratitude to the veterans.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus celebrates the '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 that date, Turkey launched the 'Peace Operation' on the island following a military coup against Cypriot President Makarios III on the 15th of the same month.

The coup was supported by the then-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. A prisoner exchange agreement was signed between the parties 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 as the president of the country, which later became known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.