Cyprus Way was dedicated to all personnel who served with the Canadian Contingent in Cyprus, including 28 who died in the service of peace by the Canada Lands Company on June 23, 2004, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).
The peacekeeping operation in Cyprus is one of Canada’s longest running peacekeeping missions (1964-93). The Mediterranean island of Cyprus gained independence in 1960, but tensions arose between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities and, consequently, between the nearby mainland countries of Greece and Turkey. As part of the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) deployed in 1964, Canadian Peacekeepers helped maintain a fragile calm among the civilian populations. The Canadian Airborne Regiment, which at the time was based out of the Griesbach Barracks, was sent to Cyprus and played an important role in the United Nations operations. Between 1974 and 1993 Canadian Peacekeepers, including battalions of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, patrolled the United Nations established “Green Line”, a buffer area between the Greek and Turkish zones. This mission has come to symbolize Canada’s longstanding tradition and commitment to Peacekeeping.