Politicians and organizations in the occupied territories issued statements regarding the illegal Turkish invasion of 1974, while delegations from Turkey have arrived to participate in the celebrations organized by the pseudo-state.

In a statement issued by the “prime minister” and president of the TRNC Executive Committee, Ünal Ustel, he states that July 20, 1974, was a historic turning point that changed the fate of the Turkish Cypriot “people” and that the “peacekeeping operation” —as he called the Turkish invasion—“one of the most justified examples in the history of human conscience, international law, and the legitimate right to intervene,”

He further argued that July 20 marked the beginning of peace, not war; of liberation, not occupation; and of lasting stability, not hostility. “The foundations of peace and security that have endured for over half a century today lie in this historic intervention,” he added.

Mr. Oustel also argued that a return to the “exhausted” negotiations on a federation in Cyprus is no longer possible, while noting that the reality on the island is that “there are two distinct peoples, two distinct republics, and two distinct states. A lasting solution can only be built on the basis of this reality.”

He also called on the international community to accept the existing realities in Cyprus, to end the “isolation” that has been unjustly imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, and to recognize their “their sovereign equality and equal international status.”

“Foreign Minister” Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu spoke of a historic turning point “that guaranteed the security and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people,” referring to the Turkish invasion, adding that the goal of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality is being resolutely pursued with Turkey’s support.

“We proudly celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the peacekeeping operation of July 20, 1974, which was a turning point in our struggle for survival and guaranteed our security and freedom,” he said.

As in the past, Mr. Ertugruloglu noted, today they are resolutely pursuing a two-state solution based on sovereign equality in Cyprus, with the unwavering support of the “motherland” Turkey, which “has always stood by us in our just cause and in achieving a prosperous future, protecting our rights and interests.”

The Organization of Turkic States, in a message marking the anniversary of the invasion of the TRNC—which was distributed in the languages of all member countries—states that on the occasion of the “Day of Peace and Freedom”, it refers to the pseudo-state and says that it congratulates “our observer member, the TRNC, and the brotherly Turkish Cypriot people, and we wish for a future that will bring lasting peace, prosperity, and continuous progress.”

In the occupied territories, for the parade and ceremonies marking the 52nd anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion, a “friendship group” from the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the “parliament”, a delegation from the “parliamentary friendship group” of Azerbaijan—the so-called “pseudo-state”—led by its “president,” Azerbaijani MP Ehliman Emirasanov; and a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) led by Bektur Bazaketsov, Deputy Secretary-General.

The delegations held meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader and the “government” in the occupied territories.

The dark anniversary is prominent in the Turkish media

The 52nd anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus is high on the Turkish press’s agenda today, with several pro-government newspapers featuring it as the main story on their front pages.

Most fully adopt Ankara’s official terminology of a “peace operation,” portray the Turkish military’s presence in Cyprus as a “guarantee of peace,” and place particular emphasis on Turkish fighter jets flying over the occupied territories.

Sabah, under the headline “Turkey Has Been the Guarantor of Peace for 52 Years,” devotes most of its front page to the anniversary, presenting the Turkish military presence in Cyprus as the factor that, according to the newspaper, has guaranteed peace and security for Turkish Cypriots for the past 52 years.

The front page features statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who refers to the anniversary and asserts that Turkey “has not left Turkish Cypriots alone for even a single day.”

At the same time, the newspaper highlights the flights of Turkish military aircraft in Cypriot airspace.

Sabah also refers to statements from the Turkish Ministry of Defense and presents July 20 as a day of “freedom” and “rescue” for Turkish Cypriots.

Under the headline “Turkish Soldiers Flying Over Your Heads,” the newspaper Türkiye presents the flights of Turkish fighter jets over Cyprus as a message to the Greek Cypriot side.

In the subheading, it notes that “the Turkish armed forces sent the Greek Cypriots the message ‘we are here.’”

The newspaper reports that the Turkish Air Force participated in the celebrations marking the 52nd anniversary and that the fighter jet flights served as a demonstration of resolve and military strength.

The same front page includes references to Turkish Cypriots killed before 1974, while the Turkish invasion is presented as an intervention that, according to the Turkish narrative, prevented the extermination of the Turkish Cypriot community.

The newspaper also carries the headline: “The Most Precious Legacy” and refers to the flag and historical artifacts from the period of the invasion, which are presented as symbols of the Turkish military presence in Cyprus.

Under the headline “A Guarantor of Peace for 52 Years,” Aksam also focuses on Cyprus as its main topic, presenting Turkey and the Turkish armed forces as “guarantors of peace” on the island.

The newspaper reports that the anniversary was marked with events and ceremonies in the occupied territories, while making special mention of a flag from the time of the invasion, which it describes as “a legacy to the battalion.”

The front-page article reiterates the Turkish position that the 1974 operation ensured the survival and security of Turkish Cypriots.

Akram also includes a report on reactions against Greece regarding the closure of minority schools in Western Thrace, linking the issue to Ankara’s broader policy toward Turkish and Muslim minorities.

Under the headline “Two Radios, One ASELSAN,” Milliyet approaches the anniversary through the history of the Turkish defense industry.

The newspaper argues that the communication problems faced by the Turkish army during the 1974 invasion were one of the key lessons that led to the founding and development of ASELSAN.

According to the report, the lack of reliable radios and dependence on foreign communication systems exposed Turkey’s weaknesses in the defense sector.

Milliyet reports that the Cyprus experience prompted Ankara to seek greater autonomy in the production of military electronics and communications systems.

The same feature mentions individuals who participated in the 1974 operations, fallen soldiers, and the current presence of the Turkish defense industry in Cyprus.

Under the headline “The Turks of Cyprus Are Never Abandoned,” Hürriyet does not make the anniversary its central theme, but devotes significant space to it on the left side of the front page.

The article is accompanied by a photograph of a Turkish fighter jet and refers to the Turkish Air Force’s flights marking the anniversary.

The newspaper features statements by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler, who asserts that Turkey will continue to defend the interests of Turkish Cypriots and that the presence of the Turkish army is a guarantee of security on the island.

At the same time, statements by Tufan Erhurman are published, referring to the need to recognize the “sovereign equality” and “equal international status” of Turkish Cypriots.

Under the headline “The Right to Life of Turks Has Been Secured,” Cumhuriyet covers the anniversary of the illegal invasion in the left column of its front page, without making it the main story.

The article refers to the “Peace Operation in Cyprus” and argues that the 1974 intervention secured the right to life of Turkish Cypriots.

The newspaper adopts the core of the official Turkish narrative, according to which the military operation halted attacks against the Turkish Cypriot community and prevented the unification of Cyprus with Greece.

Sozcu does not dedicate its lead story to the anniversary, but publishes a related historical feature titled “The Greek Cypriots Silenced Mother Nevzihan’s Cry.”

The article refers to the murders of Turkish Cypriots and family tragedies that occurred before the 1974 invasion.

The newspaper focuses on the testimonies of victims’ relatives and the cases of missing persons, placing the issue within the broader context of the anniversary.

Meanwhile, another section of the front page features a report on veterans of the invasion, who are demanding equal rights and financial benefits from the Turkish government.

Source: CNA