Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe released a message on behalf of Eastern Mediterranean University Atatürk Research and Application Center (EMU-ATAUM) on the 50th anniversary of Famagusta’s liberation. The message of Prof. Dr. Karatepe reads as follows:
“Famagusta, also known as Mağusa, which was liberated during the second phase of the 1974 Peace Operation, is one of the significant cities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In the difficult period leading up to the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, Famagusta was designated as one of the ten military districts. This district, composed of four Turkish regions—Surlar İçi, Sakarya, Karakol, and Baykal—was protected by resistance fighters who successfully blocked Greek forces from entering Turkish areas. These fighters demonstrated remarkable resilience over an extended period and, alongside Turkish soldiers, secured victory in the Second Peace Operation.
After a determined resistance and the significant victory that followed, the city of Mağusa was later renamed Gazimağusa. The name was first officially recorded as Gazimağusa Municipality in a decision by the Council of Ministers of the Turkish Cypriot Federated State on 9 March 1976. The official geographic use of the name Gazimağusa was formalized through a Secret Decree on 17 December 1980. From that point on, all decisions concerning the city have used the name Gazimağusa.
15 August 1974 marks a significant victory, and we honor with deep gratitude and respect the brave resistance fighters and soldiers who gave their lives for the peace and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people. We also extend our heartfelt respect and affection to our veterans.”
