Why did Turkish Cypriots oppose enosis with Greece?

The opposition of Turkish Cypriots to enosis—the movement for union with Greece—was a central point of contention in the island's politics during the period of British rule.1

Turkish Cypriots consistently opposed the demand for union, viewing it as a threat to their community's status and security. This opposition manifested in frequent counterpetitions and demonstrations against the Greek Cypriot campaign. As the push for enosis intensified—particularly through the violent activities of the EOKA organization in the 1950s—the Turkish Cypriot minority, led by figures such as Fazıl Küçük, expressed increasing alarm.1

In response to the threat of enosis, Turkish Cypriots demanded either the retrocession of the island to Turkey or the partition of the territory. This fundamental disagreement between the two communities regarding the island's political future remained a primary obstacle to stability, eventually leading to the complex power-sharing arrangements established when Cyprus gained independence in 1960.1