The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 followed a coup by Greek Cypriots aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece. In response, Turkey launched a military intervention to protect Turkish Cypriots, resulting in the division of the island. Turkey seized the northern third, displacing thousands and creating a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone. The invasion intensified ethnic divisions and led to the creation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. #turkey #cyprus #turki