1974 Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
In 1960 the island of Cyprus was granted its independence from Britain and declared the Republic of Cyprus. The 1960 constitution ended up giving the Presidency to the Greek Cypriots and the Vice Presidency to the Turkish Cypriots, and both were given veto power. This was meant to protect the minority Turkish population. In 1963, constitutional amendments were proposed that would have taken much of the power and protections from the Turks in government. Violence flared, the 1960 constitution fell apart, and calls from the Cypriot leaders and the UN for peace failed.
The Turkish army contingent took over the most strategic spot on the island, the Nicosia to Kyrenia road which was the main road through the island. From then on, to use the road Greek Cypriots needed a UN convoy. The Turks started living in enclaves that were protected by the National Guard and supported by the Turkish government.
The Greek Cypriots responded by limiting their movement and access to supplies which led to the Turkish Cypriots fighting for more freedom of movement in 1967. The Turkish government threatened to invade on the basis of protecting their people from genocide if the problem was not solved.
In July 1974, the Greek military rose up and overthrew the government. The Turkish military invaded on July 20, in order to protect the Turkish Cypriots believing that the instability in Greece would affect Cyprus. On July 23, the military junta that had taken over Greece collapsed and democracy was restored. Peace talks still failed and the Turkish military began another operation in Cyprus on August 14. The Turkish military managed to occupy 40% of the island before a ceasefire was negotiated. The Green Line buffer zone by the UN was expanded to separate the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. The northern part of Cyprus is now administered by Turkish Cypriots while the rest of the island is under the control of the Greek Cypriot government.