Fifty-two years is “a long time but not long enough to break our resolve”, the Presidency of the Republic said in a post on X on the occasion of the 52th anniversary of the Turkish invasion on Friday.

“Today marks 52 years since the fateful day of the second phase of the brutal Turkish invasion, which forcibly divided our homeland, placed it under occupation, displaced thousands of our compatriots and tragically shaped its modern history and future,” the post read.

The Presidency said that it honoured the fallen, the missing persons, the refugees and the enclaved, as well as “every citizen and every family who, to this day, carry the scars of the war”.

“We honour all those who fought so that we could be free. Their sacrifice will be vindicated through the liberation of our homeland and our people from the shackles of occupation,” it added.

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos earlier in the day condemned Turkey’s crimes in 1974, saying they were “not forgiven”.

“Fifty-two years since the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Turkey’s ongoing crime is not time-barred, not forgiven, not covered up,” he said in his post on X.

Lasting just three days, the second phase saw Turkey occupying the cities of Famagusta and Morphou as part of the operation dubbed “Attilla II”. It followed shortly after the United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to foreign military intervention in Cyprus in a resolution dated July 20 in the wake of the first phase of the Turkish invasion.

The second phase followed the collapse of the peace talks in Geneva, which Turkey used as a pretext, having already transferred additional armed forces on the island.

By August 13, rumours were rife about an imminent new Turkish advance, and at 3am on August 14, Turkish Foreign Minister Turan Gunes spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. He spoke in code:

“Ayse goes on vacation.” Ayse was the name of Gunes’ daughter.

The message meant that the second phase of the invasion could begin immediately.

Shortly afterward, Turkish forces launched its second offensive, sending tanks in two directions towards Famagusta in the east and towards Morphou in the west of the island.

Within almost three days, that is, by 6pm on August 16, the Turkish tanks reached Famagusta and Morphou, thus completing the implementation of their plan. The Turkish troops were reinforced with tanks and air support and advanced from the Kyrenia bridgehead.

The operation extended Turkish control to approximately 36 per cent of Cypriot territory and established the borders that exist until today.

The occupation of Famagusta and Morphou, combined with the territory seized during the first phase, saw between 162,000 and 180,000 Greek Cypriots (almost one-third of the total Greek Cypriot population) forced to abandon their homes in the occupied northern part after the two phases of the invasion. Between 45,000 and 60,000 Turkish Cypriots living in purely Turkish Cypriot villages, enclaves and mixed villages in the southern part of the island moved to the occupied northern part in the following months.

Within almost three days, that is, by 6pm on August 16, the Turkish tanks reached Famagusta and Morphou, thus completing the implementation of their plan. The Turkish troops were reinforced with tanks and air support and advanced from the Kyrenia bridgehead.

The operation extended Turkish control to approximately 36 per cent of Cypriot territory and established the borders that exist until today.

The occupation of Famagusta and Morphou, combined with the territory seized during the first phase, saw between 162,000 and 180,000 Greek Cypriots (almost one-third of the total Greek Cypriot population) forced to abandon their homes in the occupied northern part after the two phases of the invasion. Between 45,000 and 60,000 Turkish Cypriots living in purely Turkish Cypriot villages, enclaves and mixed villages in the southern part of the island moved to the occupied northern part in the following months.