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Cyprus Civil War

By Yogamat
  • Cypriot Independance

    Cyprus gains its independence from the United Kingdom, after the long anti-British campaign by the Greek Cypriot EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters), a guerrilla group which desired political union with Greece, or enosis. President Markiros the third who had socialist ideas was elected and is now considered by Greek-Cypriots the father of the nation.
  • Making of the Green Line

    Changes were proposed to change the constitution the Greek-Cypriots agreed with these changes but the Turkish-Cypriots refused. This led to intercommunal fighting. So a line was drawn which divided the Turkish-Cypriot side of Nicosia (the north)and the Greek-Cypriot side of the city (the south). The reason for the name comes from the color of pen the UN negotiator used while drawing the line on a map.
  • Battle of Tillyria

    Greek-Cypriots attack a heavily fortified Turkish-Cypriot enclave. On the August the 8th, after it became evident that the Greek-Cypriots would not fall back, multiple Turkish planes bombed the Greek-Cypriot positions. The battle ended on August the 8th
  • Greek Junta Comes Into Power

    A far right military Junta gains power over Greece.
  • Period: to

    Aftermath

    Tensions remain between the Greek and Turkish sides of the island. There have been multiple attacks on each side by armed civilians. And UN peacekeeping forces remain there. The Turkish military remains in the north
  • Greek Invasion

    A Greek military group attempts to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus. With the goal of making Cyprus part of Greece. Another reason for the attack was that the president of Cyprus was leaning towards socialism and the Greeks, who were in league with the CIA, were against this. The elected President Markiros flees a few days later. Markiros survived four assassination attempts and this Invasion. This invasion forces many Turkish-Cypriots to retreat to Turkish enclaves.
  • Turkish Invasion

    Turkish Invasion
    Turkish forces invade northern Cyprus, saying that they are "attempting to keep the peace". Later that day the national guard backed by the Greek launch multiple attacks on Turkish-Cypriot enclaves. Most of the attacks failed. A new president named Nikos Sampson is appointed by the Greek junta. This invasion prompts the evacuation of many Greek-Cypriots in the north of the island to the south.
  • The Failed Ceasefire

    The Failed Ceasefire
    The Greek appointed president Nikos Sampson is removed and replaced by Markiros the third who was the original President. A general ceasefire is made between Greece and Turkey but many parts of the island disobey the order.
  • Attack On The Nicosia International Airport

    Greek troops clashed with Turkish forces at the Nicosia international airport. Eventually the Turkish forces were beaten and were forced to retreat.
  • First Geneva Talks

    Leaders from Turkey, Greece and the UK talk about the situation on the island. This is the first Geneva conference about the situation on Cyprus. No agreements were reached.
  • The Council Of Europe

    The council of Europe pass a resolution condemning the Greek military force and acknowledge the right of the Turkish government to intervene. The council of Europe was made up of most of the western countries in Europe.
  • Second Geneva Talks

    The second set of talks about the situation on the island between Turkey, the UK and Greece happened. Again no agreements were reached.
  • Unofficial End of the War and UN Meeting

    The UN officially recorded its disapproval of ongoing "unliteral military action taken against it [Cyprus] by Turkey". After the meeting most of the Turkish and Greek troops went away. By this time 37% of the island is under Turkish rule. The UN deployed many Peacekeepers during the War and afterwards. The peacekeepers were headed by Elizabeth Spehar (Canada), who was head of the mission and major General Mohammad Humayun Kabir (Bangladesh) who was the Force Commander.
  • Crossing Over The Geen Line

    Crossing Over The Geen Line
    Many of the displaced refuges and their family's cross the green line (a predetermined line where the Turkish and Greek troops may not cross) to return to visit there original homes. The green line is defended by the UN troops. This is the first major crossing of the green line.