Ottoman conquest of Cyprus begins

Background. Cyprus was a Venetian colony protected by tribute agreements with the Mamluks and later the Ottomans. After concluding a war with the Habsburgs in 1568, the Ottomans turned their attention to the island. Venetian authorities anticipated an attack due to Ottoman naval build-ups and intelligence gathering, including a 1568 fleet visit to spy on defenses.

Diplomatic Precursor. By early 1570, warnings from the Venetian bailo convinced the Signoria that war was imminent. In March 1570, an Ottoman envoy delivered an ultimatum to Venice demanding the immediate cession of Cyprus. This diplomatic failure set the stage for the military invasion that followed later in the year.

Invasion. The war, described as the pre-eminent episode of Sultan Selim II's reign, began with the Ottoman invasion of the Venetian-held island of Cyprus. This military action initiated the broader Fourth Ottoman–Venetian War, also known as the War of Cyprus, which lasted until 1573.