Cypriot special forces chant slogans during Independence Day celebrations

During the March 25th Greek Independence Day celebrations in Cyprus, members of the Greek Cypriot special forces, known as Green Berets, were recorded chanting slogans that have triggered official reactions from Turkey. The event, which took place in late March 2026, featured military personnel making provocative statements regarding historical sites and national sovereignty. The slogans recorded include claims that Cyprus is Greek, as well as declarations about lighting candles in Hagia Sophia and placing crosses on the walls of Istanbul. Another noted chant involved the replacement of the Turkish flag with a Crusader flag. These actions were circulated via video on social media platforms, leading to public discourse in Turkey. Media reports from both Greek and Turkish sources have highlighted these specific chants as the primary point of contention. The incident has been characterized by observers as a nationalist display during a commemorative military event. No official state-level diplomatic response has been detailed beyond the reported media reactions.