The Turkish government has criticized an upcoming Netflix series, “Famagusta,” accusing it of distorting historical facts and promoting Greek Cypriot propaganda.
The series, set to premiere on September 20, portrays events surrounding the 1974 Turkish military intervention in Cyprus, which Turkey describes as a “peace operation” aimed at protecting Turkish Cypriots from persecution.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and the Foreign Ministry both condemned the series, claiming that it disrespects the memories of Turkish Cypriots who were victims of violence between 1963 and 1974. Yılmaz stressed that digital platforms should not serve as tools for spreading one-sided narratives.
The series has also drawn criticism from Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar, who accused Netflix of presenting a biased account of the events leading to the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) in 1983. Tatar argued that the 1974 intervention was necessary to prevent the genocide of Turkish Cypriots.
Turkey intervened militarily in Cyprus in 1974 following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece. The intervention resulted in the division of the island and the eventual establishment of the self-proclaimed KKTC, recognized only by Turkey.
“Famagusta” revolves around a woman who tries to flee the conflict with a baby in her arms during the height of the invasion in 1974.
The series follows her story as she falls unconscious during her escape and when she wakes up, her baby has disappeared. The narrative then shifts to 50 years later and shows her and her husband’s ongoing struggle to find their lost child.
The Turkish government maintains that its intervention was a legitimate action to protect Turkish Cypriots, who had faced ethnic violence since the 1960s. Despite numerous diplomatic efforts, the Cyprus conflict remains unresolved, with the island still divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the KKTC.