PM Üstel Condemns Yiğitler Burcu Attack

In a written statement, Üstel also responded to remarks made by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides marking the anniversary of EOKA’s activities. Üstel emphasized that EOKA represents massacres, attacks, and systematic oppression against the Turkish Cypriot community. “Glorifying EOKA or maintaining its memory in collective consciousness is unacceptable and contradicts any claim of building a shared future on the island,” he said.

He criticized the portrayal of EOKA as a “national liberation struggle,” calling it a distortion of historical facts, and reaffirmed that the TRNC Turkish community has never accepted minority status. “Our sovereign equality and equal international status are non-negotiable foundations. We reject any approach aiming to deprive our people of these rights,” Üstel stated.

On the Yiğitler Burcu incident, Üstel described the attack as “extremely serious and unacceptable,” noting that the lack of necessary measures in the buffer zone represents a serious accountability failure. He called on all relevant parties, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, to fulfill their responsibilities and ensure immediate judicial action against the perpetrators.

Üstel stressed that the Greek Cypriot leadership must conduct the investigation without delay and bring those responsible to justice to prevent further escalation, adding that the TRNC will closely monitor the process.