Turkish president to commemorate Cyprus Peace Operation anniversary in TRNC

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 20 to take part in events commemorating Peace and Freedom Day, which marks the anniversary of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.

According to Turkish media, the visit was announced by Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, via social media.

President Erdogan will participate in ceremonies marking the 51st anniversary of the military operation, which was launched by Türkiye on July 20, 1974, in response to a coup backed by the Greek junta that aimed to annexe the island to Greece. The intervention led to the de facto division of Cyprus into a Turkish-controlled north and a Greek Cypriot-controlled south, and remains a defining moment in the island’s modern history.

During his visit, Erdogan will meet with TRNC President Ersin Tatar and attend official ceremonies. He is also expected to take part in events laying foundation stones and inaugurating new projects that will be implemented with Turkish support, highlighting Ankara’s continued economic and political backing for the TRNC.

By Tamilla Hasanova