In a solemn ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus, the remains of 15 Greek soldiers who fought against invading Turkish troops nearly 50 years ago were returned to their families. The Cypriot President attended a funeral service to honor the fallen soldiers before their remains were placed in Greek flag-draped coffins.
The President expressed that it was the state's duty to pay respect and honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Eight of the soldiers will be reinterred in Greece, while six will be laid to rest in a mass grave in the Cypriot capital, serving as a poignant monument to the war. Efforts to locate the family of one soldier are ongoing.
The conflict dates back to July 1974 when Turkey invaded Cyprus following a coup by pro-Greece factions supported by the Greek junta. The invasion led to a deep ethnic divide on the island, with Turkish Cypriots declaring independence, recognized only by Turkey, which maintains a significant military presence in the north.
Since 2006, U.N.-led search missions have identified and returned the remains of 1,033 out of 2,002 individuals who went missing during the 1974 conflict and preceding years. This effort is considered the second most successful globally, following the former Yugoslavia.
Despite progress, 769 Greek Cypriots and 200 Turkish Cypriots remain missing, presenting a significant challenge due to the passage of time. The ongoing search for these individuals underscores the importance of closure and remembrance for the families affected by the conflict.
