In 1974 the Turkish Army invaded northern Cyprus to protect the interests of the ethnic Turkish minority, who in the following year formed the Turkish Federative State of Cyprus and in 1983 declared independence as the Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey.
The Turkish Army invaded northern Cyprus. This was in 1974. This was to protect the interests of the ethnic Turkish minority. The ethnic Turkish minority in the following year formed the Turkish Federative State of Cyprus. The ethnic Turkish minority in the following year in 1983 declared independence as the Republic of Northern Cyprus. Northern Cyprus was recognized only by Turkey.