Cyprus was ruled by the Venetians. Before Ottoman invasion of Egypt, Cyprus was paying taxes to the Mamelukes. After the Turkish invasions the islanders were imposed to taxes to the Ottoman Empire. The island was very significant in terms of its strategic and geographical location. Lala Mustafa Pasha was insisting on the necessity of a campaign to Cyprus. But, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha was opposing the campaign considering the possibility of a new crusade.

In October 1570, the Ottomans captured the capital Nicosia (Lefkosa) and most of the small towns of Cyprus. But, Famagusta (Magosa) one of the important cities of the island remained. Lala Mustafa Pasha besieged the city both from the land and the sea. The siege took nearly a year at last the city had surrendered in August, 1571 and Turks settled on the island.