Ankara / Anadolu

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Monday conducted an inspection tour of his country's forces tasked with peacekeeping in the Turkish Republic of Cyprus.

The ministry said in a post on the Turkish platform 'In Social' that Guler visited the command as part of his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, accompanied by the commanders of the armed forces.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense added that the minister made an inspection tour of the command headquarters, and attached photos of the visit to its post.

Guler is visiting Northern Cyprus to participate in the celebrations of the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish military 'Peace Operation' on the island.

The republic celebrates 'Peace and Freedom Day' on July 20 of 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 led by Nikos Sampson against Cypriot President Makarios III on the 15th of the same month.

The coup was supported by 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. 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.