Naval Forces warships welcome visitors in Turkish Cyprus for 50th anniversary 

Warships from the Turkish Naval Forces Command will dock at ports in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of July 20, Peace and Freedom Day.

According to the TRNC Security Forces Command, patrol boats, rescue ships, and frigates will be available for public viewing at Girne (Kyrenia) Tourism Port and Gazimagusa Port on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. local time.

The TRNC will hold grand celebrations on July 20 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.

Cyprus has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite numerous diplomatic efforts to find a comprehensive resolution.

Starting in the early 1960s, ethnic violence forced Turkish Cypriots to retreat into enclaves for safety.

In 1974, a coup by Greek Cypriots aimed at annexing the island to Greece prompted Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. This intervention led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983.

The Greek Cypriot administration joined the EU in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. plan to resolve the longstanding conflict.