The
United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than 180.5 kilometres (112.2 mi) along what is known as the
Green Line and has an area of 346 square kilometres (133.6 sq mi). The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus (which is the
de jure government for the entire island save for the British
Sovereign Base AreasThe Sovereign Base Areas are military bases located on territory in which the United Kingdom is sovereign, but which are separated from the ordinary British territory....
), and the northern area controlled by the Turkish army.
The term
Green Line refers to the
cease fire lineA ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
that
de facto divides the
island nationAn island country is a state whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or parts of islands. As of 2011, 47 of the 193 UN member states are island countries.-Politics:...
of Cyprus into two, cutting through the capital of
NicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
. It was first established in 1964, when Major-General
Peter YoungMajor General Peter George Francis Young CB CBE was a senior British Army officer who was General Officer Commanding Cyprus District from 1962 to 1964.-Military career:...
was the commander of a "peace force", a predecessor of the present UNFICYP. After stationing his troops in different areas of Nicosia, the general drew a cease-fire line on a map with a dark green
crayonA crayon is a stick of colored wax, charcoal, chalk, or other materials used for writing, coloring, drawing, and other methods of illustration. A crayon made of oiled chalk is called an oil pastel; when made of pigment with a dry binder, it is simply a pastel; both are popular media for color...
, which was to become known as the "Green Line".
The Green Line became impassable following the July 1974
invasionThe Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
by Turkey which intervened by air, sea, and land, capturing approximately 8% of Cyprus territory in response to a short lived Greek Cypriot coup. When the coup dissolved, the
Turkish Armed ForcesThe Turkish Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of Turkey. They consist of the Army, the Navy , and the Air Force...
advanced to capture approximately 37% of the island and meet the "Green Line". The
meanderA meander in general is a bend in a sinuous watercourse. A meander is formed when the moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley. A stream of any volume may assume a meandering course, alternately eroding sediments from the outside of a bend and depositing them on the...
ing green line marks the southernmost points that the Turkish troops occupied during the
Turkish Invasion of CyprusThe Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
in 16 August 1974. With the
self-proclamationEight years after the Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus was proclaimed , the UDI of North Cyprus was presented to the Northern Cypriot Parliament in North Nicosia by Turkish Cypriot Leader/Northern Cypriot State President Rauf Denktaş on November 15, 1983...
of the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Green Line became its de facto southern border.
This line is also referred to as the
Attila Line on some maps, named after the Turkish code-name for the 1974 military intervention:
Operation AtillaAttila Operations refers to the two operations performed by the Turkish Armed Forces during the invasion of Cyprus.Atilla I was the first stage of the operation. The invasion began in the early hours of 20 July 1974 in response to a Greek-inspired coup d'etat that sought to overthrow the...
. The closed off zone has become a haven for Cyprus' wildlife, an example of an
involuntary parkInvoluntary park is a neologism coined by science fiction author and environmentalist Bruce Sterling to describe previously inhabited areas that for environmental, economic or political reasons have, in Sterling's words, "lost their value for technological instrumentalism" and been allowed to...
.
Traffic across the buffer zone was very limited until 2003, when the number of crossings and the rules governing them were relaxed.
The buffer zone
The zone stretches for 180 km from the western part of near Kato Pyrgos to the east just south of Famagusta. It cuts through the center of the old town of
NicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, separating the city into southern and northern sections. There is also a buffer zone around the
Kokkina exclaveKokkina is an exclave of the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It was one of the Turkish Cypriot enclaves prior to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. It is hemmed in on three sides by mountainous territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus with the...
in western Cyprus. The width of the zone ranges from 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) in central Nicosia, to 7.4 kilometres (4.6 mi) at the village of
AthienouAthienou is a village in Larnaca District, Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within the United Nations Buffer Zone, the other three being Pyla, Troulloi and Deneia...
.
There is no buffer zone along the common border between the eastern British Sovereign Base Area and the area under Turkish Cypriot control.
The buffer zone is patrolled by the
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in CyprusThe United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions...
. Turkish forces built a barrier on the zone's northern side, consisting mainly of barbed-wire fencing, concrete wall segments, watchtowers, anti-tank ditches, and minefields.
The buffer zone is home to some 10,000 people and there are several villages and farms located within. The village of
PylaPyla is a village in Larnaca District, Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within the United Nations Buffer Zone, the other three being Athienou, Troulloi and Deneia. Pyla is located in the eastern part of the island, adjacent to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia...
is famous for being the only village on Cyprus where Greeks and Turks live side by side. Other villages are Dhenia, Mammari,
AthienouAthienou is a village in Larnaca District, Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within the United Nations Buffer Zone, the other three being Pyla, Troulloi and Deneia...
, Troulli while Lymbia lies partially within the zone.
History
A "security zone" was established after the Tripartite Conference of
GenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
in July 1974. Pursuant to
United Nations Security Council Resolution 353United Nations Security Council Resolution 353, adopted unanimously on July 20, 1974, in response to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign military personnel present in the Republic of Cyprus in contravention of paragraph 1 of the United...
(1974), the foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom convened in Geneva, Switzerland on 25 July 1974. According to UNFICYP, the text of the joint declaration transmitted to the
Secretary-General-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
of the United Nations was as follows:
A security zone of a size to be determined by representatives of Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, in consultation with UNFICYP, was to be established at the limit of the areas occupied by the Turkish armed forces. This zone was to be entered by no forces other than those of UNFICYP, which was to supervise the prohibition of entry. Pending the determination of the size and character of the security zone, the existing area between the two forces was not to be breached by any forces.
Crossings
After a nearly 30-year ban on crossings, the Turkish Cypriot administration significantly eased travel restrictions across the dividing line in April 2003, allowing Greek Cypriots to cross at the
Ledra Palace CrossingThe Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
just outside the walls of old Nicosia. This was made only possible after the decision of the ECHR (
Djavit An vs Turkey, Application No.20652/92).
These are the crossings now available :
| Republic of Cyprus entrance |
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus entrance |
Notes |
| Astromeritis Astromeritis is a large village in the Morphou Department of the Nicosia District of Cyprus. It is located from the capital Nicosia...
Αστρομερίτης (Greek) |
Zodeia Zodeia is a village on the island of Cyprus. It is located east of Morphou in Nicosia District. It is in the northern part of the island which has been occupied by Turkey since August 15, 1974...
Ζώδεια (Greek) Bostancı (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
By car only |
| Ayios Dhometios |
Metehan Metehan is a common masculine Turkish given name. "Metehan" is composed of two words: "Mete" and "Han". In Turkish, "Mete" means "brave", "galahad", "hero", "valiant", and/or "gallant" whereas "Han" means literally "Khan"...
|
|
| Ledra Palace The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
|
Ledra Palace The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
|
|
| Ledra Street Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus, which links North and South Nicosia....
οδός Λήδρας (Greek) Lokmacı Caddesi (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
Ledra Street Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus, which links North and South Nicosia....
οδός Λήδρας (Greek) Lokmacı Caddesi (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
On foot only |
| Pyla Pyla is a village in Larnaca District, Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within the United Nations Buffer Zone, the other three being Athienou, Troulloi and Deneia. Pyla is located in the eastern part of the island, adjacent to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia...
Πύλα (Greek) Pile (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
Pergamos Pergamos is a village located in the Larnaca District of Cyprus. The town is situated in the part of the island controlled by the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and is the site of a Green Line crossing checkpoint....
Πέργαμoς (Greek) Beyarmudu (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
|
Agios Nikolaos
Άγιος Νικόλαος (Greek) |
Strovilia Strovilia is a small village located right at the border of the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. It is the site of a Green Line crossing....
Akyar (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
|
| Limnitis Limnitis is a village in the Tilliria region in Nicosia District, North Western Cyprus. The ancient Vouni Palace was located nearby. It is a small village located on the shores of the Morphou Bay...
Λιμνίτης (Greek) Yeşilırmak (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
Limnitis Limnitis is a village in the Tilliria region in Nicosia District, North Western Cyprus. The ancient Vouni Palace was located nearby. It is a small village located on the shores of the Morphou Bay...
Λιμνίτης (Greek) Yeşilırmak (TurkishTurkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
) |
|
Before Cypriot accession to the
European UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, there were restrictions on Green Line crossings by foreigners imposed by the Republic of Cyprus, but these were abolished for EU citizens by
EU-regulationA regulation is a legislative act of the European Union that becomes immediately enforceable as law in all member states simultaneously. Regulations can be distinguished from directives which, at least in principle, need to be transposed into national law...
866/2004. Generally, citizens of any country are permitted to cross the line, including Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Passports are required for entry into Northern Cyprus, but they are not stamped.
Incidents
In August 1996, Greek Cypriot refugees demonstrated with a march against what they regard as the
Turkish occupationNorthern Cyprus or North Cyprus , officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus...
of Cyprus. The demonstrators' demand was the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops and the return of the refugees to their homes and properties.
Another man,
Solomos SolomouSolomos Solomou , was a Greek Cypriot refugee who was killed after being shot five times by Turkish forces while trying to climb a flagpole in order to remove a Turkish flag from its mast in the United Nations Buffer Zone near Deryneia, Cyprus...
, was shot by Turkish troops during the same protests on 14 August 1996.
Aged 26, Solomou was one of many mourners who entered the Buffer Zone three days after Isaac's funeral, on 14 August to lay a wreath on the spot where he had been beaten to death. Solomou was fired upon by Turkish soldiers at close range as he climbed a flagpole. An investigation followed by authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the suspects were named as Kenan Akin and Erdan Emanet. International legal proceedings were instigated and arrest warrants for both were issued via
InterpolInterpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
.
See also
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Cyprus
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Cyprus is an office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees opened in August 1974 upon the request of the Government of Cyprus and the Secretary-General of the United Nations...
- No man's land
No man's land is a term for land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dumping ground for refuse between fiefdoms...
- Cyprus dispute
The Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
- Cypriot refugees
- Sovereign Base Areas Customs
Sovereign Base Areas Customs is a semi-autonomous branch of UK Customs with jurisdiction over Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus, administered as a Sovereign Base Area, and home to British Forces Cyprus. It is managed by the MoD and around 3500 military...
- Pyla
Pyla is a village in Larnaca District, Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within the United Nations Buffer Zone, the other three being Athienou, Troulloi and Deneia. Pyla is located in the eastern part of the island, adjacent to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia...
- Louroujina Salient
The Louroujina Salient marks the southernmost extent of North Cyprus. It is named after the Turkish Cypriot village of Louroujina. Akıncılar was one of the biggest Turkish Cypriot villages in Cyprus before the division of the island....
- Kokkina exclave
Kokkina is an exclave of the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It was one of the Turkish Cypriot enclaves prior to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. It is hemmed in on three sides by mountainous territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus with the...
- Merlijn Twaalfhoven
Merlijn Twaalfhoven is a Dutch composer and theatre maker. He graduated from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2003. Twaalfhoven is internationally active in creating innovative projects and writing new music for orchestras, choirs and chamber music groups...
, did a project in NicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
with musicians from both sides of the border.
External links
Long Distance Call Project in Cyprus, see Documentaries below
Documentaries
- Echoes Across the Divide (2008) is a documentary film about an attempt to bridge the Green Line with a bicommunal music project performed from the rooftops of Old Nicosia