Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea with a complex history of political division. Following British rule, the island gained independence in 1960 as the Republic of Cyprus. However, tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority intensified, leading to intercommunal conflict and the division of the island.

In 1974, a coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece was followed by a Turkish invasion, resulting in the control of roughly the northern third of the island by Turkish forces. This led to the establishment of a de facto Turkish Cypriot state in the north. In 1983, this entity declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a move recognized only by Turkey. The United Nations condemned this declaration and continues to call for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Republic of Cyprus.123