Cyprus peace operation in the narratives of veterans of Tunceli

The Ottoman Empire conquered the island of Cyprus in 1571 due to the ownership of a person created in the Mediterranean and has a reign that lasted for 307 years. The Greek Cypriot and Greek-backed EOKA terrorist organization exerted political, social, cultural and economic pressure on the Turkish Cypriots. EOKA started ENOSIS, aiming to kill and destroy the Turkish Cypriots. Despite political and military loneliness, Türkiye launched the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974. Turkish Armed Forces completed the operation successfully. A total of 193 people from Tunceli province, including 3 martyrs, participated in the Cyprus Peace Operation. As a result of the interviews held with 17 Veterans from Tunceli, information about the Cyprus Peace Operation was given. 17 of our Tunceli veterans learned that they would participate in the Cyprus Peace Operation while continuing their military service in their units. 12 of our veterans from Tunceli learned about the Cyprus events from the radio, from their troops and friends. It was seen that 5 of our veterans did not have information about the Cyprus events. 4 of our veterans from Tunceli served in different positions as Infantry, 4 as Airborne Commando Unit, 2 as Medical Officers, 2 as Drivers, 2 as Artillerymen, 1 as a Tankman, 1 as a Combat Officer and 1 as a Band Band. Our veterans from Tunceli, buses and trains during transfers in Turkey; Transport aircraft and helicopters for air transfers to reach Cyprus; On the sea route, they used landing craft and ferries. The transport plane took off from Kayseri and arrived in Cyprus with a helicopter taking off from Antalya, Alanya, Silifke, Mersin and Mezitli. Taşucu and Mut regions were the places where sea vessels were used extensively to reach Cyprus. 6 of our veterans participated in the operation with helicopters, 4 with aircraft and 7 with ships. Some of our veterans who participated in the Cyprus Peace Operation are in back-service duties; Some of them worked in the field. 5 of our Tunceli veterans were injured in different parts of their bodies. The units, which included our veterans from Tunceli, treated Greek citizens humanely by delivering Greek soldiers to prison camps during the operation. Our veterans from Tunceli used MG3 type machine guns, bazooka style rockets, G1, G3, A6, A4 type infantry weapons, hand grenades, cannons and tanks. During the Cyprus Peace Operation, some of our veterans from Tunceli were in trouble, and some were not, in terms of meeting basic living supplies and personal needs. Our Cyprus veterans from Tunceli, who could not meet with their families for a long time during the Cyprus Peace Operation, used letters to communicate. Some of the veterans from Tunceli were discharged, albeit late. After their discharge, they came to Mersin by ship from the island of Cyprus. They returned to their hometown by land using their own means. It was also observed that there were veterans who were injured during the war and were treated in hospital. Veterans who received their discharge documents were generally welcomed enthusiastically by their families and friends. Even sacrifices were made for them, and there were also those who were welcomed simply. Our veterans from Tunceli are awarded with various medals and certificates and receive salaries by the TRNC and the Republic of Turkey. Our Tunceli veterans showed outstanding courage and heroism despite the difficult war and climatic conditions throughout the Cyprus Peace Operation. In this study; The struggle of our Cyprus veterans from Tunceli in Cyprus was revealed, and their experiences and events were explained.