The Attila ΙΙ military operation constituted the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, conducted from 14 to 16 August 1974. It was the continuation of the Attila Ι operation, commenced on 20 July 1974, after the coup against President Makarios on 15 July.
The first phase (Attila Ι) resulted in the creation of a Turkish bridgehead around Kyrenia. On 25 July, negotiations commenced in Geneva between Greece, Turkey and Britain, for a diplomatic solution to be found. The talks failed, when on 13 August the Turkish side asked for the control of approximately 34% of the Cyprus territory and federal partition, a request rejected by the Greek-Cypriot side. Thus, Turkey prepared the new phase of the offensive.
On 14 August, the Turkish Army, 40.000 men strong, launched a general offensive at all fronts with powerful air and naval support. The Greek-Cypriot forces and the National Guard, weakened by the coup, were numerically and technologically inferior.
The Greek Force in Cyprus fought a heroic and bloody battle in its camp in Nicosia and Gerolakkos, with tens of dead, which was held thanks to the heroism of some officers and the self-denial of its soldiers. Approximately, three hundred Greek soldiers against approximately 2.000 Turks and main battle tanks, without anti-armour guns, only using their portable weaponry and some mortars, with some artillery support, initially, they managed to hold the camp’s defence.
Nevertheless, the Turkish forces marched on at the rest of the fronts and occupied areas of the northern part of the island, including Famagusta, Morphou, the Karpas Peninsula and a large part of Mesaoria. On 16 August, an armistice was put into force, under the pressure of the UN.
When Attila ΙΙ was completed, 37% of Cyprus was under illegal Turkish occupation. The Greek-Cypriot dead and the dead from Greece were over 2.000 while 1.619 individuals had gone missing. 200.000 Greek-Cypriots were forced to abandon their homes at the northern part, with 40.000 Turkish soldiers still occupying the island up until today. To this day, Cyprus remains partitioned.
#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy
