2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of when the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the newly formed republic. Canada was one of the original contributors of troops to UNFICYP with lead elements arriving on 15 March 1964 followed by a brigade headquarters, the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, and a Reconnaissance Squadron from The Royal Canadian Dragoons mounted in Ferret scout cars with transport provided by the RCAF and HMCS Bonaventure. This was the first of 59 battalion-sized six-month rotations. Initially operating in Kyrenia Mountains securing the Kyrenia-Nicosia highway, CANCON, as it was known, moved into Nicosia and the surrounding area in 1969.
2024 is also the 50th Anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. On 15 July1974, a coup d’état by ultra-nationalist Greek-supported forces overthrew the government of Archbishop Makarios III with the aim of uniting Cyprus with Greece. The Turkish government, fearing for the welfare and safety of the Turkish Cypriot minority, issued a series of demands to the United Nations and the United Kingdom. When these demands were not met, the Turks began a full scale invasion of the island initially landing in and around Kyrenia and in a few days controlled the road to Nicosia while more forces continued to land by sea and air. This was a turning point in the Middle East and for Canadian peacekeepers in Cyprus. Greece and Türkiye, both members of NATO, were at war and the Canadians were caught in the middle of a coup d’état and an invasion.
Op SNOWGOOSE dates from July 1974 when the Canadian contingent in UNFICYP — originally made up of 1 Commando and 1 Airborne Field Squadron from the Canadian Airborne Regiment, was rapidly augmented by 2 Commando and 3 Commando in response to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus that began on 20 July 1974. At the time, 1 Airborne Field Squadron, as part of the Canadian Airborne Regiment assigned to the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNIFCYP), had a detachment in Kyrenia and other elements in and around Nicosia. It was essentially ended in 1993 when the bulk of the contingent left the island. One Canadian staff officer remains.
In 2020, a team of Cyprus veterans began planning the commemoration of Canada’s contribution to UNFICYP. A pilgrimage led by ‘those who were there’, will reunite Veterans of Cyprus and their families. The program includes: speakers, exhibits, site visits, cultural excursions, interaction with Cypriots who lived through the conflict, and camaraderie. For interested members of the CME, a full description of the event follows. For more details, contact Col David Burke, the CME representative for the pilgrimage.
