Yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of the death of Bülent Ecevit, former Turkish Prime Minister and key figure behind the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, widely known by the nickname “Karaoğlan.”
Ecevit, who passed away in 2006, led the Turkish government that launched the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, under the code phrase “Ayşe should go on vacation,” bringing peace to the island.
As the central figure in numerous historic events, from the Cyprus Peace Operation to the capture of the PKK’s leader, the late Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit’s legacy was commemorated by political figures, including Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel and Democrat Socialist Party (DSP) Chairman Önder Aksakal, who visited his gravesite.
Ecevit entered politics in 1954 and served as Prime Minister five times.
During his leadership in 1974, his government’s Cyprus operation responded to protect Turkish Cypriots, and Ecevit became a symbol of resilience against international embargoes imposed on Türkiye following the intervention.
After the 1980 military coup, Ecevit faced opposition from the ruling military regime and was imprisoned three times, with 130 cases filed against him.
As Prime Minister during his 56th government, Ecevit also oversaw the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in Kenya, a milestone in Türkiye’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Following the 1999 elections, Ecevit led a coalition government formed with the Nationalist People’s Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP).
However, in the 2002 early elections, his DSP party did not surpass the electoral threshold, leading Ecevit to retire from active politics in 2004.
He passed away on November 5, 2006, at the age of 81.