Civil defense sirens to sound in Cyprus on July 15 and 20, 2026

The Cyprus Civil Defence Force has announced that public warning sirens will be activated across all cities to commemorate the anniversaries of the 1974 events. On July 15, 2026, the sirens will sound at 8:20 am, marking the time the coup began in 1974. On July 20, 2026, the sirens will sound at 5:30 am, representing the time the Turkish invasion of Cyprus commenced. The signal used in both instances will be the standard air raid alert siren. These activations are part of the scheduled national memorial events. Government representatives have characterized the 1974 coup as a crime against democracy and the state. The commemoration serves as a reminder of the historical significance of these dates for the island.