Explainer: The conflict between Turkey and Cyprus over the Varosha ghost town - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Adam Lucente

Adam Lucente

Jul 21, 2021

Closed off area of Verosha — A Turkish army sign is seen at the fenced-off area of Varosha in Famagusta town in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on July 16, 2021. After Turkey's 1974 invasion, Varosha — once the playground of celebrities and dubbed a "Jewel of the Mediterranean" — was left a fenced-off ghost town, where former luxury hotels have become overgrown by weeds. The Turkish army restored public access to parts of the beachfront last year, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to further reopen Varosha. — CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey and its ally the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are moving ahead with their plan to develop the town of Varosha. The UN-recognized Republic of Cyprus opposes the move, and the issue relates to the dispute between Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the island, as well as disagreements Turkey has with its eastern Mediterranean neighbors.

What is Varosha?

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