Today marks the 52nd anniversary of the second phase of the brutal Turkish invasion of Cyprus, known as Attila II, in the summer of ’74.
The second phase of the invasion and the second betrayal followed the collapse of the peace talks in Geneva, which Turkey used as a pretext after it had already deployed reinforcements to the island, preparing for the next strike.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The second phase lasted just three days, and Turkey managed to complete its crime by capturing the cities of Famagusta and Morphou during Operation Attila II. All this despite the fact that UN Security Council Resolution 353 of July 20 called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to foreign intervention in Cyprus.
The rumor mill in the early hours of August 14
On August 13, rumors were rife about an imminent new Turkish advance, and at 3 a.m. on August 14, Turkish Foreign Minister Turan Güneş rushed to theand asks to be put through to Ankara and Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit. He speaks in code:
“Ayşe can go on vacation (Ayşe is the name of Güneş’s daughter).
The message means that the second phase of the invasion can begin immediately. Shortly thereafter, Turkish tanks set out in two directions, toward Famagusta in the east and toward Morphou in the west.
Within nearly three days—that is, by 6 p.m. on August 16— the Turkish tanks reached Famagusta and Morphou, thus completing the implementation of their plan to establish the Attila Line.
The Turkish troops, reinforced with tanks and air support, advanced from their bridgehead in Kyrenia; despite heroic resistance, such as the battle at the ELDYK camp; Turkish forces managed to achieve their objectives due to their overwhelming superiority in military equipment and troop numbers.
By the end of “Attila II” on August 16, Turkey had occupied approximately 36% of Cypriot territory, creating the dividing line that remains to this day.
Approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots were displaced from their homes. Widespread massacres and atrocities took place.
“Attila II” completed the plan to partition the island, a plan that, as was later revealed, had been devised by Turkey in consultation with the then U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.
“Attila II” marked the climax of the Cypriot tragedy, with the consequences of the Turkish invasion remaining vivid to this day.
The government, political parties, organizations, and the people commemorate this sorrowful anniversary with pain and anger, and through messages and statements, they reaffirm their commitment to continuing the struggle for liberation and reunification.
