The 1974 Coup and Turkish Military Intervention
The summer of 1974 saw the most devastating events in modern Cypriot history. A Greek junta-backed coup against President Makarios on 15 July triggered Turkey's military intervention on 20 July, followed by a second phase of operations in August that resulted in Turkey controlling 36-37% of the island. The conflict caused thousands of casualties, the displacement of approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots and 60,000 Turkish Cypriots, widespread atrocities against civilians of both communities, and the de facto partition of Cyprus along the UN Buffer Zone.
Greek Junta Stages Coup Against Makarios
The Greek military junta and EOKA-B stage a coup against President Makarios. Nikos Sampson is installed as president. According to official government data, approximately 98 people are killed during the coup, though other estimates range up to 450. Makarios escapes and is flown via British facilities at Akrotiri to London. Turkish Cypriot civilians are also targeted by EOKA-B elements in mixed areas during the coup period.
Turkey Launches Military Operation in Cyprus
Turkey launches military operation in Cyprus (termed 'peace operation' by Turkey under Article IV of the Treaty of Guarantee; termed 'invasion' by Cyprus and Greece). Approximately 40,000 troops land at Kyrenia in an operation codenamed 'Attila.' Turkey had requested British participation in joint intervention, but British Prime Minister James Callaghan declined after military advisors assessed Britain lacked sufficient forces. UN Security Council adopts Resolution 353, calling for a ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign military personnel.
Second Geneva Conference begins. Turkey demands a federal solution with Turkish Cypriots administering 34% of the island. Turkey argued this was necessary for the community's security and viability; Greek Cypriots objected that this was disproportionate to the Turkish Cypriot share of the population (approximately 18%) and land ownership. The Acting President Glafkos Klerides requests 36-48 hours to consider the proposals; the Turkish side demands an immediate response. Negotiations collapse on 14 August.
Second Military Phase and Civilian Atrocities
Turkey launches second phase of military operations. Both sides commit atrocities against civilians: EOKA-B paramilitaries massacre Turkish Cypriot civilians at Maratha, Santalaris, and Aloda (approximately 126 killed, including children and elderly) and Tochni (approximately 84 men and boys executed). Turkish forces and Turkish Cypriot paramilitaries commit atrocities against Greek Cypriot civilians during the military advance, including killings, mass detention in internment camps, and sexual violence documented by the European Commission of Human Rights in the Karpas Peninsula. Greek Cypriot forces also commit atrocities against Turkish Cypriots in the south, including in Limassol.
Final Ceasefire Establishes De Facto Partition
Final ceasefire established. Turkish forces and the Turkish Cypriot administration control approximately 36-37% of Cyprus. UN Security Council adopts Resolution 360, recording its disapproval of unilateral military actions against the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey rejected this characterization, maintaining its actions were authorized under Article IV of the Treaty of Guarantee and calling for compliance with ceasefire. Adopted 11-0-3 (USSR, Iraq, Byelorussia abstained).
Total casualties from the 1974 conflict are estimated at 1,500 to 5,000 killed, with figures varying significantly between Greek Cypriot and Turkish sources. According to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), approximately 1,510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots are listed as missing. Approximately 160,000-200,000 Greek Cypriots (approximately one-third of the Greek Cypriot population) are displaced from the north. Over the following year, approximately 60,000 Turkish Cypriots are displaced from south to north under the 1975 Vienna III agreement. Many Turkish Cypriots had already been displaced from their original homes during the 1963-64 violence and had been living in enclaves for a decade. During and after the military operations, thousands of Greek Cypriots are held in detention camps, with over 2,000 prisoners transferred to prisons in Turkey, which the ICRC characterizes as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
European Commission of Human Rights receives inter-state applications (Nos. 6780/74 and 6950/75) from the Republic of Cyprus against Turkey. The Commission's 1976 report finds Turkey responsible for violations of Articles 2 (right to life), 3 (prohibition of torture), 5 (liberty), 8 (private and family life), and 13 (effective remedy), and Protocol 1 Article 1 (property).
Property belonging to Greek Cypriots in the north and Turkish Cypriots in the south is looted, destroyed, or confiscated by both sides during and after the military operations. In the north, abandoned Greek Cypriot homes and properties are later allocated to Turkish Cypriots and settlers from mainland Turkey. In the south, Turkish Cypriot properties are similarly confiscated.