Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun stated that they commemorated the martyrs and veterans who fought valiantly to "put an end" to the systematic extermination policies applied to Turkish Cypriots and ensure the independence of Cyprus with mercy and gratitude on the 48th anniversary of the operation.
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun shared a post on his social media account on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Including a video regarding the Cyprus Peace Operation in his post, Director of Communications Altun stated, "We commemorate the martyrs and veterans who fought valiantly to put an end to the systematic extermination policies applied to Turkish Cypriots and ensure the independence of Cyprus, with mercy and gratitude on the 48th anniversary of the operation."
Beginning with the remarks of Rauf Denktaş, the founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), "Today, at this moment, soldiers from the gallant Turkish Armed Forces are arriving at every corner of Cyprus by air and sea. May Allah bless this holy endeavour!" the video highlights that the island of Cyprus has been a Turkish homeland for centuries. From 1950-1974, racist Greek Cypriot gangs ruthlessly massacred thousands of our Turkish Cypriot brothers, targeting the young and elderly and women and children alike.
The video states that in response to the efforts of racist groups that tried to launch a coup on the island and realise ENOSIS, which is the annexation of Cyprus by Greece, Türkiye launched the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, despite international pressure and continues:
"The operation, which aimed to secure peace and stability on the island, was successfully completed in less than a month. From the very beginning, Türkiye had preferred a diplomatic path. After the military operation, Türkiye led the way with diplomatic steps towards a political solution. While Türkiye has advocated for over half a century that a two-state solution under the roof of a federation was necessary for peace and stability, the Greek Cypriots, who have not learned any lessons from the past, have sabotaged every step towards a permanent solution with unrealistic demands. Türkiye, with its deterrent military might and the power gained from the decisiveness of its people, will continue its diplomatic struggle to bring an end to the injustice on the island and the unfair embargo imposed against the Turkish Cypriots. May the souls of all of our soldiers and Turkish Cypriot brothers who were martyred rest in peace!"