The military operation Attila II was the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, carried out from August 14 to 16, 1974. It followed Operation Attila I, which had begun on July 20, 1974, after the coup against President Makarios on July 15.

The first phase (Attila I) resulted in the establishment of a Turkish bridgehead around Kyrenia. On July 25, negotiations began in Geneva between Greece, Turkey and Britain, aiming for a diplomatic solution. The talks failed when, on August 13, the Turkish side demanded control over approximately 34% of Cyprus and a federal partition, a demand rejected by the Greek-Cypriot side. Consequently, Turkey prepared for the next phase of the offensive.

On August 14, the Turkish army, a force of approximately 40,000 troops, launched a general offensive across all fronts, backed by strong air and naval support. Greek-Cypriot forces and the National Guard were weakened, both numerically and technologically, partly due to the coup.

ELDYK (Hellenic Force in Cyprus) fought a heroic and bloody battle, sustaining dozens of casualties, at its camp located between Nicosia and Gerolakkos. Approximately three hundred Greek soldiers faced 2,000 Turkish troops and tanks, lacking anti-tank weaponry and relying solely on their personal arms and a few mortars, along with some initial artillery support, they managed, through heroism and self-sacrifice, to hold the camp’s defences.

Nevertheless, Turkish forces advanced on the remaining fronts and captured areas in the northern part of the island, including Famagusta, Morphou, Karpasia and a large part of the Mesaoria plain. A ceasefire came into effect on August 16, under UN pressure.

By the time Attila II concluded, 37% of Cyprus was under illegal Turkish occupation. The death toll among Greek-Cypriots and Greeks from the mainland exceeded 2,000, while 1,619 people were listed as missing. 200,000 Greek-Cypriots were forcibly displaced from their homes in the northern part of the island, and to this day, 40,000 Turkish troops remain there. Cyprus remains divided to this day.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy