Cyprus: Greeks Mourn, Turks Celebrate Anniversary of Divided Island
Greeks mourn, Turks celebrate anniversary of invasion that split Cyprus. This somber anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus brings to the forefront a painful reality: the island remains deeply divided, a wound still raw after more than five decades. For Greek Cypriots, this day is one of mourning. The air raid sirens that sound each year at the precise moment of the initial landing of Turkish troops serve as a stark reminder of the displacement, loss, and unresolved issues that stem from the conflict. The invasion, triggered by a coup backed by the Greek junta, led to the division of the island and the creation of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a state recognized only by Turkey.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood