Cyprus Turkish Peace Force
Encyclopedia
The Turkish Armed Forces in Northern Cyprus officially the Cyprus Turkish Peace Force (Turkish: Kıbrıs Türk Barış Kuvvetleri or KTBK) is the Turkish military garrison on Cyprus. In 1974 Turkish troops invaded Cyprus
following a Greek Cypriot coup (organized and supported by the Greek government, which was still in the hands of a military junta
) which wanted to enforce union with Greece
, occupying the northern third of the island. The invasion force, which consisted of about 40,000 soldiers and 200 tanks, subsequently was reduced to a garrison of 17,000 troops. It outnumbers the Greek military contingent on the island, which is supplemented by the Greek Cypriot National Guard of 12,000 active and 75,000 reserves. Air reinforcement of the Turkish troops can be effected, if necessary, within hours. Nevertheless, the unresolved dispute over Cyprus complicates Turkish participation in NATO and remains an obstacle to NATO's effectiveness in the region.
sent the Cyprus Turkish Brigade (Kıbrıs Türk Alayı) to Cyprus in accordance with terms of the Zürich and London Agreement
. On 16 August 1960, the brigade was organized as follows:
landed forces on the northern part of Cyprus
after the military coup of July 15, 1974. Turkish forces involved in operations
were as follows:
, and initially consisted of the following Turkish Army
units:
The corps reserve was at Kythrea (Değirmenlik) to the northeast of Nicosia.
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.
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.
Since 16 August 1974, the Turkish Army has retained control of the northern 37% of Cyprus.
It is not possible to give an exactly accurate number of military personnel serving in northern Cyprus, due to conflicting public sources of information.
There are an estimated 30,000 regular troops of the Turkish Army
serving in northern Cyprus at any given time are:
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
following a Greek Cypriot coup (organized and supported by the Greek government, which was still in the hands of a military junta
Greek military junta of 1967-1974
The Greek military junta of 1967–1974, alternatively "The Regime of the Colonels" , or in Greece "The Junta", and "The Seven Years" are terms used to refer to a series of right-wing military governments that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974...
) which wanted to enforce union with Greece
Enosis
Enosis refers to the movement of the Greek-Cypriot population to incorporate the island of Cyprus into Greece.Similar movements had previously developed in other regions with ethnic Greek majorities such as the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. These regions were eventually incorporated...
, occupying the northern third of the island. The invasion force, which consisted of about 40,000 soldiers and 200 tanks, subsequently was reduced to a garrison of 17,000 troops. It outnumbers the Greek military contingent on the island, which is supplemented by the Greek Cypriot National Guard of 12,000 active and 75,000 reserves. Air reinforcement of the Turkish troops can be effected, if necessary, within hours. Nevertheless, the unresolved dispute over Cyprus complicates Turkish participation in NATO and remains an obstacle to NATO's effectiveness in the region.
Cyprus Turkish Brigade
TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
sent the Cyprus Turkish Brigade (Kıbrıs Türk Alayı) to Cyprus in accordance with terms of the Zürich and London Agreement
Zürich and London Agreement
The Zürich and London Agreement for the constitution of Cyprus started with an agreement on the 19 February 1959 in Lancaster House in London, between Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and Cypriot community leaders...
. On 16 August 1960, the brigade was organized as follows:
- Gunyeli Group (Günyeli Grubu)
- 2nd Infantry Company (2 nci Piyade Bölüğü)
- 3rd Infantry Company (3 ncü Piyade Bölüğü)
- Heavy Weapons Company (Ağır Silah Bölüğü)
- Ortakoy 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, TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
landed forces on the northern part of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
after the military coup of July 15, 1974. Turkish forces involved in operations
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
were as follows:
- 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 1974Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
, and initially consisted of the following Turkish Army
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
units:
- Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command
- 28th Infantry Division - headquartered at Asha (Paşaköy) to the northeast of Nicosia, and the
- 39th Infantry Division - headquartered at Camlibel within the district of Girne.
- 14th Armoured Brigade - also in Asha (Paşaköy) with M48 PattonM48 PattonThe M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle It was a...
tanks. - A Special Force Regiment
- An Artillery Regiment
- Naval units
The corps reserve was at Kythrea (Değirmenlik) to the northeast of Nicosia.
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. However, according to the UN Secretary-General “It is estimated that in recent years there have been in the northern part of the islandCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
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
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
population. Recently moreover there have been indications that the total numbers of Turkish forces
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
on the island may have increased” S994/680 7.6.1994.par.28.
Turkish forces in Cyprus are part of the Turkish Aegean Army
Aegean Army
The Aegean Army or Fourth Army is one of the four main formations of the Turkish Army. It covers the entire west coast of the Anatolia peninsula and has its headquarters in İzmir. It was organised in the 1970s in response to political tensions with Greece - the ongoing Aegean dispute.Its stated...
which is headquartered at Izmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
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.
Since 16 August 1974, the Turkish Army has retained control of the northern 37% of Cyprus.
Military Personnel in Northern Cyprus
There are an estimated 30,000 regular troops of the Turkish Army
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
serving in northern Cyprus at any given time are:
Equipment in Northern Cyprus
This is an estimate of the inventory of military equipment in northern Cyprus due to conflicting published sources.Main Battle Tanks
- M48M48 PattonThe M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle It was a...
A5T1 or T2 ~ 287 (Imported after 1974, modernised M48 replaced the older M48's. The M47's what was used during the war were withdrawn from service. - M48M48 PattonThe M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle It was a...
A5C - 9 Used in training.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
- AIFVAIFVThe AIFV is a tracked light armored vehicle which serves as an infantry fighting vehicle in the armies of several countries. It is a development of the M113A1 armored personnel carrier.-History:...
/ AAPC ~ 126 (Imported after 1995, among them are armed with the 25mm Sharpshooter configuration)
Armoured Personnel Carriers
- M113A1 - 361
- AIFVAIFVThe AIFV is a tracked light armored vehicle which serves as an infantry fighting vehicle in the armies of several countries. It is a development of the M113A1 armored personnel carrier.-History:...
- 90 AAPC variants with 12,7mm or 7,62mm weapons.
Self Propelled Howitzers
- M-110A2M110 howitzerThe 8 inch Self-Propelled Howitzer M110 was the largest available self-propelled howitzer in the United States Army's inventory. It was deployed in division artillery in general support battalions and in separate corps- and Army-level battalions. Missions include general support, counter-battery...
- 12 203mm howitzers - M44T - 24 (Modernized with 155mm/L39 Rheinmetall howitzers and ASELSAN electronic systems.)
- M52T - 36 (Modernized with 155mm/L39 Rheinmetall howitzers and ASELSAN electronic systems.)
Multiple Rocket Launchers
- T-122 - eight 122mm MLRS(One battery covering the whole island with 40 km TRB series extended range rockets.)
Towed Howitzers
- M-115 203 mm - 12
- M-59 155 mm - 12
- M-114A2 155 mm - 36
- M-101A1 105 mm - 36
Anti-Tank Missiles
- Kornet-E ~ 60
- TOWBGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
~ 36 (Imported in 1994) - MILANMILANMILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
~ 48 - M72 LAWM72 LAWThe M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
Unknown number, produced in Turkey - RPG-7RPG-7The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
Unknown number
External links
- 2007 letter from Cypriot Government to UN, giving details of Turkish forces in Cyprus
- The Cyprus Conflict A website with a selection of details, reports, documents, and personal accounts on the Cyprus dispute
- Chronology - Cyprus Issue
- Aspects of the Cyprus Problem from The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office
- Association Of Turkish Cypriots Abroad, A non-party-political organization with the aim of partitioning Cyprus