20.07.2026 18:30
The Directorate of Communications' Center for Combating Disinformation issued a written statement regarding the claims circulated on social media in recent days that "Turkey is an occupier in Cyprus and its military presence on the island is illegitimate." The DMM stated that these posts do not reflect the truth and emphasized that Turkey's military presence in Cyprus is maintained within the framework of legitimate rights and obligations arising from international agreements.
The Presidential Directorate of Communications' Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) issued a statement regarding claims circulating on social media that "Türkiye is an occupier in Cyprus and its military presence on the island is illegitimate." The DMM stated that these claims do not reflect the truth, emphasizing that Türkiye's presence in Cyprus continues within the framework of rights and obligations stemming from international law.
"THE CLAIMS ARE COMPLETELY BASELESS"
In a statement made on the DMM's social media account, it was expressed that posts targeting Türkiye's military presence in Cyprus constitute disinformation.
The statement said, "Claims that Türkiye is an occupier in Cyprus and that its military presence on the island is illegitimate are completely baseless."
"THE PEACE OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT ON A LEGITIMATE BASIS"
The statement noted that Türkiye's Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, was conducted to halt systematic attacks targeting the Turkish community on the island and attempts to eliminate the Turkish presence.
It was emphasized that the operation was based on a legitimate foundation within the scope of international rights and obligations arising from the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
"PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE ISLAND"
The DMM stated that thanks to the Peace Operation, a peaceful environment was established on the island, and the goals of "Enosis" were thwarted.
The statement also included the assessment that the operation paved the way for the end of the military junta in Greece and the return to democratic governance in the country.
"THE PRESENCE OF TURKISH SOLDIERS IS A GUARANTEE OF SECURITY"
In the statement, it was noted that the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces on the island cannot be characterized as "occupation," and it was recorded that Turkish soldiers are the most important guarantee of the life safety, sovereignty, and the peaceful environment that has continued since 1974 for the Turkish Cypriot people.
At the end of the DMM statement, it was argued that disinformation activities targeting Türkiye's Cyprus policies constitute a perception operation.
The statement used the following expressions: "Disinformation activities targeting Türkiye's peaceful and lawful moves, carried out by actors pursuing occupation and annexation policies by disregarding international law, human rights, and borders, are nothing but a perception operation driven by a sense of guilt. The public is kindly requested not to give credence to such content."