Turkish_Military_Forces_in_Northern_Cyprus

Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command

Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command

Turkish military garrison deployed in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus


The Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command (Turkish: Kıbrıs Türk Barış Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı)[1] is the Turkish garrison in Cyprus. In 1974 Turkish troops invaded Cyprus following a Greek Cypriot coup d'état (organized and supported by the Greek government, which was still in the hands of a military junta) which wanted to force union with Greece, occupying the northern third of the island. The invasion force consisted of about 40,000 soldiers and 200 tanks. It outnumbers the Greek military contingent on the island, which is supplemented by the Greek Cypriot National Guard consisting of 12,000 active and 75,000 reserves. Air reinforcement of the Turkish troops can be effected, if necessary, within hours.[2]

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Map of Cyprus showing current political divisions

History

Turkey maintained the Cyprus Turkish Regiment (Kıbrıs Türk Alayı) in the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. On 16 August 1960, the brigade was organized as follows:[citation needed]

  • Gönyeli Group (Gönyeli Grubu)
    • 2nd Infantry Company (2 nci Piyade Bölüğü)
    • 3rd Infantry Company (3 ncü Piyade Bölüğü)
    • Heavy Weapons Company (Ağır Silah Bölüğü)
  • Ortaköy Group (Ortaköy Grubu)
    • 1st Infantry Company (1 nci Piyade Bölüğü)
    • 4th Infantry Company (4 ncü Piyade Bölüğü)
    • Regimental HQ Company (Alay Karargâh Servis Bölüğü)

Invasion of Cyprus

In July 1974, Turkey landed forces on the northern part of Cyprus after the military coup of July 15, 1974. Turkish forces involved in operations were as follows:[citation needed]

  • An airborne (parachute) brigade (Commander: Brig. Gen. Sabri Evren)
  • A commando brigade (Commander: Brig. Gen. Sabri Demirbağ')
  • A Special Strike Force Landing Brigade (Turkish Marines) (Commander: Brig. Gen. Süleyman Tuncer)
  • The 39th Infantry Division (Commander: Maj. Gen. Bedrettin Demirel)
  • The 28th Infantry Division (Commander: Maj.Gen. Osman Fazıl Polat)

Post invasion

It has been on Cyprus since the Turkish invasion of 1974, and initially consisted of the following Turkish Army units:[citation needed]

The corps reserve was at Kythrea (Değirmenlik) to the northeast of Nicosia.

Current (Post-2015)

Strength

The original force of 40,000 troops was reduced with Turkish authorities claiming that the Turkish force in Cyprus had been reduced to 17,500 in the 1990s.[4] However, according to the UN Secretary-General “It is estimated that in recent years there have been in the northern part of the island a little under 30,000 armed forces of the Republic of Turkey (Turkish Forces) making it one of the most militarized areas in the world in terms of numbers of troops and numbers of civilian population. Recently moreover there have been indications that the total numbers of Turkish forces on the island may have increased” S994/680 7.6.1994.par.28[permanent dead link].

Turkish forces in Cyprus are part of the Turkish Aegean Army which is headquartered at Izmir in Turkey. However, the commander of the Turkish troops reports directly to the Turkish General Staff in the capital, Ankara. The force is responsible for all security and is not directly involved in political matters of northern Cyprus.[5]

Since 16 August 1974, the Turkish Army has retained control of the northern 36.2% of Cyprus.

Equipment in Northern Cyprus

Main battle tanks

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Armoured fighting vehicles

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Armoured personnel carriers

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Mine-resistant ambush protected

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Multi-purpose vehicles

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Self propelled howitzers

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Multiple rocket launchers

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Towed howitzers

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Anti-tank missiles/tank destroyers

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Recoilless rifles

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Mortars

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Anti-aircraft

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Aircraft/Helicopters/UAV

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See also


Notes

Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.

  1. Slot, Pieter J.; Bulterman, Mielle K.; Meijers Instituut, E. M. (January 2004). Globalisation and Jurisdiction. ISBN 9789041123077.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-09-08. Retrieved 2010-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Turkey: A Country Study, p.350. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-4191-9126-8
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2010-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "The Military Balance 2023". IISS. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  6. admin (2019-05-03). "trmilitarynews.com" (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
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  9. "The Military Balance 2023". IISS. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. "www.mavivatan.net". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  11. Kanal, Ulusal (2022-11-16). "www.ulusal.com" (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  12. "www.iletisim.gov.tr". www.iletisim.gov.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  13. "www.ulusal.com" (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-30.
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  34. "Türkiye'den yangın söndürme helikopteri". www.kibrisgazetesi.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  35. "Türkiye'nin Kuzey Kıbrıs'taki İHA'larından bölge ülkeleri tedirgin". euronews (in Turkish). 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2023-06-29.

References

  • Cyprus Mail, Thursday, November 19, 1998
  • Phileleftheros, Wednesday, November 18, 1998
  • Cyprus News Agency, October 8, 1998
  • Cyprus News Agency, November 21, 1997
  • Cyprus News Agency, October 27, 1997
  • The Military Balance 1996/97, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, London.
  • 2004 - 2005 Defence Bible (Stratigiki)
  • "Cyprus, 1974", by T. Cooper and N. Tselepidis, published October 28, 2003 for ACIG.org.

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