The spirit of Peace and Freedom Day gripped the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday. Prominent guests from Türkiye joined locals to mark the anniversary of the 1974 Peace Operation launched by Ankara. The day marks a milestone in the community's struggle for independence. In a message on the occasion, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pledged that they would not abandon the people of the TRNC in their righteous cause, “as the motherland and guarantor state.”
Erdoğan’s message, issued through social media, was also a remembrance of martyrs and veterans who sacrificed their lives decades ago to stop attacks, atrocities and torture by Greek Cypriots on the divided island.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler represented Türkiye at the events in the TRNC, which included a military parade. Opposition politician Müsavat Dervişoğlu also joined the events.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also issued a message on the occasion, stating that the military intervention secured the freedom, security and future of the Turkish Cypriot people while reaffirming Ankara's commitment to defending their rights.
"We proudly and enthusiastically celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, which secured the freedom, security and future of the Turkish Cypriot people," Fidan said in a statement shared on social media.
