Our people will not compromise with the 1974 betrayal and crime

AKEL on the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

 

14 August 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The second phase of the Turkish invasion, which began on 14 August 1974, completed the imperialist crime committed against Cyprus.

Turkey, capitalizing on the betrayal of the coup d’etat and securing the approval of the US and NATO, led to the collapse of the Geneva Conference and subsequently launched a new military offensive. The Turkish army invaders reached Famagusta in the east and Morphou in the west, occupying almost 37% of Cyprus’ territory, de facto partitioning our island and separating Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots by the force of arms. The Turkish army and the Turkish Cypriot chauvinists who joined them lead them to commit barbarities, war crimes, uprooted our people turning them into refugees, committed rapes and brought destruction.

At the same time, our people remember that the July 1974 betrayal of the Greek junta and EOKA B continued with the abandonment by the coupists of the city of Famagusta, which was surrendered without a fight to the Turkish army, even though it was not included in its plans. The cowardice demonstrated by the coupists was confirmed by the fact that, instead of rushing to the battle front to repel the invasion, they remained in the rear and engaged in the massacre of Turkish Cypriot prisoners and women and children.

AKEL pays tribute and honors the children of Cyprus who defended the freedom of our homeland and sacrificed their lives in an unequal and treacherous battle against the hordes of Turkey’s invading army of Attila.

At the same time, AKEL stands by the war-stricken victims, the relatives of the missing persons, the refugees, the victims of rape, the enclaved people (in the occupied areas), and all those who bore the burden of the tragedy of 1974.

The anniversary of 14 August also reminds us of the 51-year siege of the city of Famagusta by the occupying power Turkey, but also of its most recent actions in the enclosed area of the city with the aim of expanding the colonisation of the occupied areas. These illegal actions, which Turkey adds to the crime of its long-standing occupation, as well as its demand for a two-state solution, aim to legitimize the crime committed in 1974 and finalize the permanent partition of our homeland.

AKEL makes it clear that neither the partitionist designs, nor the status quo will ever be accepted, because our people will not compromise with the ongoing crime and will not undermine the future of future generations. In the face of the occupation and de facto partition, we project the struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for freedom and reunification, for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the agreed basis and framework.

AKEL is holding a symbolic event to denounce the anniversary on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Deryneia. This will be followed by the delivery of a memorandum to the representatives of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) at the Deryneia checkpoint.