The Conflict

Christian, Greek-ethnic Cyprus was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1571 until 1914, during which time many Muslim Turks moved to Cyprus. Following independence in 1959 (and earlier under British rule), tensions arose between the majority Greek Cypriots and the minority Turkish Cypriots, resulting in the division of the small island and the occupation of half of the island by Turkish troops.

Ethnic

• Greek Cypriots resented the disproportionate influence of the Turkish Cypriots in the government. Many Greek Cypriots supported union of Cyprus with Greece.
• Turkish Cypriots fear that their rights will be trampled by the majority Greek Cypriots, especially if Cyprus unifies with Greece. They look to Turkey for protection and support.

Political

• Turkey and Greece both feel obligated to their ethnic brothers in Cyprus. Turkey has troops in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriots and deter...