Air combat during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On 20 July 1974, Turkey launched a combined air and sea invasion of the northern portion of the island of Cyprus following a coup by the Athens-backed Cypriot National Guard against the democratically elected President, Archbishop Makarios III. The Turkish Government cited the protection of the Turkish Cypriot minority of Cyprus as its main justification for the military attack, in contradiction of the terms of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

Air combat during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On 20 July 1974, Turkey launched a combined air and sea invasion of the northern portion of the island of Cyprus following a coup by the Athens-backed Cypriot National Guard against the democratically elected President, Archbishop Makarios III. The Turkish Government cited the protection of the Turkish Cypriot minority of Cyprus as its main justification for the military attack, in contradiction of the terms of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.