Cyprus Marks 50 Years of Turkish Invasion Amid Continuing Tensions

Cyprus commemorated the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion on July 20, 1974. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected a federal solution to reunify the island and stated that there was no point in continuing UN-led negotiations. In contrast, Greek Cypriots marked the occasion with air raid sirens at dawn, recalling the arrival of thousands of Turkish troops on the island. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriots celebrated the event as a "peace operation" and Erdogan attended a military parade and fly-past in the breakaway territory, which is recognized only by Turkey since its unilateral declaration of independence in 1983. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey, both NATO partners. The ethnically divided island remains a contentious issue between the two countries, with no clear solution in sight.