5 Minute News

The occupation of Ayiaoulas and its impact on the local population

August 17, 2026

The occupation of Ayiaoulas in 1974 occurred without resistance, with Turkish soldiers entering the area casually. At that time, around 8,000 Greeks lived in Karpassia, experiencing the anguish of the trapped and missing. The subsequent agreements were not upheld, leading to the decline of the Greek presence in the area. Today, only a few Greeks live in Karpassia, while the region has changed drastically. Major developmental projects have transformed the landscape.