With July 20, 2010 around the corner, it's time to remember that 36 years ago, Turkey invaded Cyprus and an unjust occupation began, whose effects we still live up to this date. According to this BBC video at the time, this was a pre-planned invasion rather than a reaction to the Greek junta's coup d'etat against Makarios.

With the anniversary of the invasion, let's take the opportunity to give people a brief summary of the events that started on July 20 and resulted in the ongoing occupation (up to today) of the 37% of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish forces.

Operation Attila I (July 20 - July 23, 1974)

In the early hours of July 20, the Turkish armed forces launched an amphibious invasion of Pentemilli (Five Mile Beach) located on the northern coastline, approximately 8 km west of the main harbor town of Kyrenia. The Turkish landing forces, consisted of around 3,000 troops, 12 tanks and 20 Armed Personnel Carriers, as well as 12 105mm Howitzer Artillery Guns. The landing was not contested until the first wave of Turkish forces were already ashore.

By the time the UN Security Council was able to obtain a ceasefire on July 22, the Turkish forces had only secured a narrow corridor between Kyrenia and Nicosia, which they succeeded in widening during the next few days in violation of that ceasefire.

After Attila 1, the Turkish forces controlled 7% of the island's area. They had successfully connected their beachhead in the north with the big Turkish Cypriot enclave north of Nicosia. They controlled the harbor of Kyrenia, which enabled them to increase the rate of reinforcements arriving from to Turkey, something essential for the second offensive.

Interim period (July 24 - August 14, 1974)

During this period, sporadic battles continued between Turkish and Greek Cypriot forces, while Turkey, having established a beachhead in the Kyrenia area, continued to ship reinforcements in the island preparing for the second wave of attack.

At a conference on 14 August 1974, Turkey demanded from the Cypriot government to accept its plan for a federal state, and population transfer. When the Cypriot acting president Clerides asked for 36 to 48 hours in order to consult with Athens and with Greek Cypriot leaders, the Turkish Foreign Minister denied Clerides that opportunity on the grounds that Makarios and others would use it to play for more time.

Operation Attila II (August 14 - August 16, 1974)

An hour and a half after the conference broke up, the new Turkish attack began. On 14 August 1974, Turkish forces, massively reinforced to the strength of two infantry divisions and supporting elements, commenced a second major offensive, codenamed Attila II. This offensive lasted three days and caused the defenses of the Cypriot National Guard to collapse, leading to the capture of the towns of Famagusta, Morphou, and the northern quarter of Nicosia.

After Attila II, the Turkish forces had managed to capture 37% of the island's area. The front line of August 16 became the island's separation line, as is today still. Over 140,000 (and with estimates as high as 200,000) Greek-Cypriot refugees fled to the south. Twenty one years after the fall of the Berlin War, Nicosia remains the only divided European Capital.

More information:

Divided Cyprus 35 years later - Causes then and now.

Video - Before, during and after Operation Attila and the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

Video - Commemorating the 36th anniversary of the Invasion of Cyprus by Turkey

Video - BBC video from 1974 documenting Turkish Plans to invade Cyprus

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