Tufan Erhurman attends annual event at Kokkina marking the 1964 Tylliria bombings

On August 10-11, 2026, Turkish Cypriot politician Tufan Erhurman participated in the annual commemoration events held at Kokkina. The event serves as a memorial for the Turkish aerial bombardment of the Tylliria region, which took place in August 1964 during the Cyprus conflict. During his address at the ceremony, Erhurman characterized the military actions of the period as a form of resistance that demonstrated the Turkish Cypriot commitment to protecting their freedom and dignity.

The commemoration of these historical events remains a point of significant tension in Cyprus. While Turkish Cypriot officials frame the events as a demonstration of their historical will, the Greek Cypriot press interprets the gathering as a celebration of past violence and an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. The ceremony included speeches honoring martyrs and veterans, with Erhurman emphasizing that current generations carry a debt to preserve the achievements of those who participated in the 1964 events.