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The Ottoman Empire conquered the Venetian island of Cyprus in the Battle of Lepanto. This caused many Turks to migrate to the country. -
The Ottoman Empire ceded rule of Cyprus to Britain in July 12th 1878 in accordance with the Cyprus Convention (secret negotiation between the parties). The Ottoman Empire ceded in exchange for British guarantee that they would use the country as a base to protect them from possible Russian aggression. The agreement was abrogated the agreement on 5th November 1914, when the British declared war on the Ottoman Empire. (The Image is the British Cyprus Flag. Ratio, 2:1)
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The flag had a ratio of 2:1 -
November 5th 1914- May 1st 1925: Cyprus remained a unilaterally annexed military occupation. This annexation was formally recognized by Turkey in July 24th 1923 with the Treaty of Lausanne. May 1st 1925- August 16th 1960: the island was a crown colony. The island of Cyprus gained independence from Britain in August 16th 1960.
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British Governor of Cyprus Ronald Storrs blocked a legislative council decision to halt tax increases that were intended to pay for the budget deficit of £60,000. Greek members of the Legislative Council of the Colony responded by resigning. Bishop of Kitium’s resignation (17th October) triggered the revolt especially.
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Greek Cypriots were urged to participate in acts of civil disobedience by Archbishop of Kition Nikodemos on 18th October.
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5,000 Greek Cypriots (mainly city notables, priests and students) protested in Nicosia, partaking in chanting pro-Enosis slogans (enosis meaning the unification of Greece and Cyprus) and throwing stones at the house of the British Governor. At this time: people around the country were stripping British flags from public offices and often replaced them with Greek flags. The protestors besieged the government house. The building was burnt down following 3 hours of stone throwing.
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The London and Zurich Agreements was signed in Lancaster House, London involving Greek prime minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, Turkish minister of foreign affairs Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, Turkish prime minister Adnan Menderes, the U.K and the Cypriot Community leaders (Archbishop Makarios III for Greek Cypriots and Dr. Fazıl Küçük for Turkish Cypriots). Cyprus was accordingly founded on the same day. -
EOKA-B (a pro-Enosis paramilitary organization) initiated a Cypriot coup d'état, ordered by the Greek Military Junta. Greece clandestinely aided EOKA-B. The coup d'état’s objectives were to cause Cyprus' enosis and to declare the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus. EOKA-B committed attacks, such as mass murders, sabotage, attempted assassinations and bombings. The coup was deemed illegal by the UN (United Nations). It also later triggered the Turkish invasion pf Cyprus. (Image: EOKA-B's battle flag) -
The image shows the position of Turkish forces during late hours of 20th July 1974 -
The invasion saw 2 operations from the Turkish side: Attila 1 (20 July- 23 July) and Attila 2 (14 August - 16 August). For the Turkish: 1500-3500 Turkish soldiers and civilians died. 270 civilians were killed and 803 civilians went missing, along with 2,000 wounded. For Greece and Cyprus: around 4,500-6,000 soldiers and civilians died. 309 Cypriot and 105 Greek soldiers died, 1,000 – 1,100 went missing (as of 2015) and 12,000 wounded.
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Turkey declares the invaded north of Cyprus as The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The only countries that recognised the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus shortly after its independence were Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey. However: the countries (excluding Turkey) withdrew their recognition following the UNSC (United Nation Security Council) Resolution 541 on 18th November 1983. Currently: the only country that recognises the TRNC is Turkey