On July 20th, 1974, Türkiye executed a crucial intervention in Cyprus, a move that was solidly anchored in the international legal framework of the Treaty of Guarantee.

This treaty, established in 1960 with the independence of Cyprus, explicitly permitted Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom to act to guarantee the independence, territorial integrity, and security of the Republic of Cyprus.

Türkiye's intervention was a direct and necessary response to the coup d'état on July 15th, 1974, orchestrated by the Greek military junta, which aimed to annex Cyprus to Greece, flagrantly violating the treaty.

Historical Context and the Breakdown of Order

Prior to the intervention, the Turkish Cypriot population faced severe marginalization and violence.

Starting from 1963, following amendments to the constitution by Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots were expelled from government and public life, leading to their forced segregation into enclaves. This initiated a dark period of ethnic cleansing and genocide, marked by the systematic persecution of Turkish Cypriots.

This ethnic cleansing was not spontaneous but was a well-orchestrated plans, (Akritas and Iphestos plans) largely ignored by international observers, which continued unchecked for over a decade. The violence peaked with the coup led by Nikos Sampson, a figure notorious for his nationalist and extremist views. The coup was the culmination of the Greek Cypriot and Greek pursuit of Enosis—the union of Cyprus with Greece.

This ideology not only spurred intercommunal strife but also initiated ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Turkish population, in addition entailed violent actions against British forces stationed on the island, resulting in countless deaths and casualties and contributing to the instability in the region.

Türkiye's Response and International Legitimacy

Türkiye, under the leadership of Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, recognized the urgent need to intervene to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and to protect the Turkish Cypriot community from total annihilation. The legitimacy of Türkiye’s military operation can be traced back to the Treaty of Guarantee, which was blatantly disregarded by the Greek coup planners.

The treaty was designed precisely for such scenarios, providing a legal basis for the guarantor states to restore order and uphold the republic’s sovereignty.

Clearing Misconceptions

It is critical to challenge the prevailing narrative that inaccurately labels Türkiye’s actions as an invasion.

Such a description starkly ignores the legal and humanitarian grounds that necessitated the intervention.

The real invasive act was the unlawful coup by Colonel George Grivas and Nikos Sampson, supported by the Greek junta, which sought to integrate Cyprus into Greece against the will of its diverse inhabitants.

Moreover, the claims of an "invasion" omit significant evidence of the atrocities faced by Turkish Cypriots in the years leading to 1974. The intervention by Türkiye was not only about protecting a geopolitical interest but was a rescue operation for a community under severe distress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Türkiye's intervention in Cyprus in July 1974 was a justified, legal, and necessary action to protect the Turkish Cypriot community and restore peace to a region thrust into chaos by Greek nationalist ambitions.

The events leading up to the intervention, including the systematic ethnic cleansing and the violent overthrow of a legitimate government, underscore the legitimacy of Türkiye's actions. This intervention should be recognized as a lawful and moral response to a crisis, firmly rooted within the international law clauses of the Treaty of Guarantee, and a critical measure to prevent further atrocities and the potential ethnic cleansing of Turkish Cypriots.