Utensils are seen in a kitchen inside of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this "frozen" conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
NICOSIA — A rickety piano leans crookedly against a peeling apartment wall, pots and pans filled with dust rest on a stove that has seen much better days and a book, its pages turning yellow with time, lies open next to a rusty tin can; signs of homes, once teeming with life, but suddenly abandoned as they stand frozen in time.
Fifty years ago, Turkey invaded Cyprus — five days after supporters of union with Greece mounted a coup backed by the Greek junta then ruling the country — splitting the east Mediterranean island nation along ethnic lines. Only Turkey recognizes a subsequent Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third where it keeps more than 35,000 troops.
The Associated Press was allowed unique access inside the United Nations 180-kilometer (about (110-mile) buffer zone where its troops have been situated since 1974 to preserve the peace between Turkish and Turkish Cypriot troops on one side and Greek Cypriot national guardsmen.
The marks of war are ubiquitous; from the pock-marked walls of homes and businesses targeted by large-caliber gunfire to hastily-constructed brick-and-mortar gun nests facing off each other. But the eeriest sensation comes from how a capital’s heart stopped mid-beat along the hasty exodus of people fleeing for their lives, leaving everything behind.
Holes from bullets are seen on a wall on top of a destroyed bed with a magazine of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
The U.N. says tensions along the buffer zone are again being ratcheted up with the appearance of hundreds of new firing positions and high-tech surveillance technology with possible military applications.
Talks about forming a federation composed of Greek and Turkish-speaking zones have been stalemated since the last U.N. facilitated bid seven years ago. Many failed attempts preceded that.
Now, a Turkish and Turkish Cypriot shift away from a federation and toward a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots have dismissed outright is jeopardizing a renewed bid by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to get the two sides back to the negotiating table.
—
By PETROS KARADJIAS Associated Press
A book is seen next of a rusty tin can inside of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)An abandoned piano is seen inside of an abandoned apartment in the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A Toyota Celica 70′ car is seen at the abandoned Toyota show room inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Holes from bullets are seen in a wall inside of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Utensils inside of a drawer, are seen in a kitchen inside of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A destroyed Cyprus airways plane is seen at the war-torn UN buffer zone at the abandoned Nicosia airport in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A destroyed Cyprus airways plane is seen at the war-torn UN buffer zone at the abandoned Nicosia airport in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Toyota 70′ cars are seen at the abandoned Toyota show room inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)The terminal of the abandoned Nicosia airport is seen inside at the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A casserole hang up on the wall in a kitchen of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)The terminal building of the abandoned Nicosia airport is seen inside at the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A part section of the abandoned Nicosia airport inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Graves of soldiers killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 5, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A giant Turkish flag lighting on the Pentadaktilos mountain in the Turkish occupied area at the north part of the island, in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A sink of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)A U.N peacekeeper walks next of two advertisement boards at the abandoned Nicosia airport inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Utensils, a wash machine, a bottle of Cypriot beer, are seen in a kitchen inside of an abandoned apartment inside the war-torn UN buffer zone in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)Graves of soldiers killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 5, 2024. Fifty years after war cleaved Cyprus along ethnic lines, re-emergent tensions along a 180 km-long United Nations controlled buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in an internationally recognized south have revived concerns that this “frozen” conflict could become another source of instability in an already tumultuous region. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a hospital courtyard in the Gaza Strip early Monday killed at least four people and triggered a fire that swept through a tent camp for people displaced by the war, leaving more than two dozen with severe burns, according to Palestinian medics.
MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian man was rescued in the stormy Sea of Okhotsk after surviving for more than two months in a tiny inflatable boat that lost its engine, but his brother and nephew have died, officials said Tuesday.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United great Alex Ferguson will step down from his role as club ambassador at the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California and Nevada voters will decide in November whether to ban forced prison labor by removing language from their state constitutions rooted in the legacy of chattel slavery.
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