August 14, 1974, marks another somber chapter in the modern history of Cyprus. Fifty years ago, the Turkish invasion entered its second phase, despite an agreed-upon truce. Turkish forces launched a general offensive, advancing from Morphou to Famagusta and cutting off the entire northern part of the island.

The continuation of Turkey’s expansionist ambitions and the repeated violations of international law resulted in a new reality that Cyprus has endured for half a century—50 years of pain, displacement, and refugees.

The second phase of the Turkish invasion began shortly after the Geneva talks broke down. Between August 8-14, 1974, intense diplomatic efforts were underway, with Turkey holding the upper hand. The Turkish foreign minister, Turan Gunes, demanded that 34% of the Republic of Cyprus’s territory be granted to Turkish Cypriots, but not in a contiguous manner. Instead, they proposed creating scattered cantons across Cyprus.

Gunes issued an ultimatum, demanding an answer within 36 hours, knowing that the Greek side would reject the proposal. Meanwhile, preparations for ‘Attila 2’ were already in motion.

Glafcos Clerides, representing the Republic of Cyprus as President, and George Mavros, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs in Konstantinos Karamanlis’s national unity government, rejected the Turkish ultimatum. This decision angered the British, who, despite their frustration, did nothing to fulfill their obligations as guarantors of Cypriot independence.

Mavros attempted to bluff by declaring that “Greece prefers war to dishonor.” However, as Clerides later reflected, there was no war—only dishonor.

The Invasion of ‘Attila 2’

On August 14, Turkish forces began bombarding Famagusta, signaling the start of ‘Attila 2.’ The city’s inhabitants fled, and Famagusta fell with little resistance. After being looted, it was cordoned off by Turkish troops and gradually transformed into a ghost town.

By the afternoon of August 16, Turkish forces had occupied 37% of Cypriot territory. In less than three days, they had seized the Pentadaktilo mountain range, as well as the Mesaoria plain, Morphou, and Karpasia.

Thus concluded the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which had begun on July 20, 1974. The invasion resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being expelled from their homes, becoming refugees in their own homeland.

The Federation: A Painful Compromise

In the immediate aftermath of the 1974 invasion, the idea of a federation was not even considered by the Greek Cypriot side, which sought a return to the pre-invasion status quo. However, over time, the federation—initially a Turkish demand—has become a central goal for the Greek Cypriot side.

Despite Turkish claims now pushing for a ‘two-state’ solution, the European Union emphasizes that the only viable option is a solution based on UN parameters. The EU remains committed to finding a sustainable solution for Cyprus within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as outlined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

However, with their presence firmly established in northern Cyprus, the Turkish side has shown little urgency in seeking a resolution or normalizing the situation. As former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash once claimed, the Cyprus problem was “solved” with the invasion. This statement revealed that the Turkish side has used negotiations as a means to buy time and solidify the gains of the invasion-occupation.