52nd anniversary of the occupation of Famagusta

August 14, 2026, marks the 52nd anniversary of the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which led to the occupation of the city of Famagusta. On this day in 1974, Turkish forces broke a ceasefire and advanced into the city, which had been largely left undefended as most of its male population was stationed near Nicosia.

Two prominent football clubs from Famagusta, Nea Salamina and Anorthosis, issued official statements condemning the occupation and commemorating the tragedy that displaced thousands of residents. The clubs described the event as a day of mourning that severed their connection to their ancestral homes, stadiums, and neighborhoods, leaving the city in a state of prolonged, forced exile.

The clubs emphasized that despite the passage of five decades, the desire for the eventual return to their city remains central to their identity. They continue to denounce the international community's inaction regarding the occupation, maintaining that Famagusta remains a silent witness to the ongoing displacement of its original inhabitants.