EOKA B
Encyclopedia
EOKA-B was a Greek Cypriot paramilitary organisation formed in 1971. It followed a right-wing nationalistic ideology and had the ultimate goal of achieving the enosis
(union) of Cyprus
with Greece. During its short history, the organisation's chief aim was to block any attempt to enforce upon the Cyprus people what the organisation considered to be an unacceptable settlement to the Cyprus issue. The organisation dissolved following a failed coup d'état attempt in 1974 and the subsequent Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
. Unlike EOKA
, its 1950s predecessor, EOKA-B members tactics included killing both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civilians who were opposed to their ideology.
as his last organizational attempt before his death in 1974. Grivas, the anti-communist military leader of the Greek Civil War
, was among the founders of EOKA
in the early 50s. After the declaration of independent Cyprus state he took over the Supreme Command of the Greek Cypriot forces organised under the National Guard as well as the Greek military division in early 60s. Following Turkey's ultimatum of November 1967 he was recalled by the Greek Junta to Athens, only to return under cover in 1971. He created EOKA-B in response to President Archbishop Makarios' deviation from the policy of enosis
as well as the widespread concern that the Greek Junta would attempt to impose upon the Greek Cypriots what they thought was an unacceptable settlement to the Cyprus problem. Nationalistic elements had been angered by Makarios' rejection of enosis in 1959 and were further incensed when he had reaffirmed this position on his re-election in 1968.
The organization is commonly referred as a terrorist organization in countries such as the United Kingdom because EOKA-B was engaged in bombing campaigns against police forces. This terminology was shared by President Makarios
on his speech at the UN following the coup.
When George Grivas
returned to Cyprus in 1971, he created EOKA-B in response to President Archbishop Makarios' deviation from the policy of enosis
. He was angered by Makarios' rejection of enosis in 1959 and was further riled when the President reaffirmed this position on his re-election in 1968. Grivas took the reins of EOKA-B and attempted to overthrow Makarios in order to achieve enosis through violent means.
Whereas EOKA
(1955–59) were seen by the majority of the Greek Cypriots as anti-colonialist freedom fighters, the EOKA-B did not have the overwhelming support of the Greek Cypriot population, who were skeptical over the organisation's tactics. The only armed, organized resistance to EOKA-B came from the members of the Socialist Party EDEK. The Communist Party AKEL, despite the mild verbal opposition to EOKA-B, had not organized any form of resistance against it.
When Grivas Digenis died from heart failure in January 1974, the new leadership of EOKA-B increasingly came under the direct control and influence of the military junta in Athens. On July 15, 1974, the EOKA-B with approval of the Greek Dictator Dimitrios Ioannides
and the help of the National Guard
, launched a military coup, overthrowing Makarios and installing Nikos Sampson
as the dictator of Cyprus. This action served only to provoke a Turkish intervention
on July 20, 1974, leading to the subsequent de facto division of the island.
EOKA-B committed the Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre
s.
Enosis
Enosis refers to the movement of the Greek-Cypriot population to incorporate the island of Cyprus into Greece.Similar movements had previously developed in other regions with ethnic Greek majorities such as the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. These regions were eventually incorporated...
(union) of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
with Greece. During its short history, the organisation's chief aim was to block any attempt to enforce upon the Cyprus people what the organisation considered to be an unacceptable settlement to the Cyprus issue. The organisation dissolved following a failed coup d'état attempt in 1974 and the subsequent Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
. Unlike EOKA
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
, its 1950s predecessor, EOKA-B members tactics included killing both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civilians who were opposed to their ideology.
Formation
EOKA-B was founded by General George GrivasGeorge Grivas
Georgios Grivas , also known by his nom de guerre Digenis , which he adopted while in EOKA, was a Cyprus-born general in the Greek Army, leader of the EOKA guerrilla organization and EOKA B paramilitary organisation.-Early life:Georgios Grivas was born on July 5, 1898 in Trikomo, Famagusta...
as his last organizational attempt before his death in 1974. Grivas, the anti-communist military leader of the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
, was among the founders of EOKA
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
in the early 50s. After the declaration of independent Cyprus state he took over the Supreme Command of the Greek Cypriot forces organised under the National Guard as well as the Greek military division in early 60s. Following Turkey's ultimatum of November 1967 he was recalled by the Greek Junta to Athens, only to return under cover in 1971. He created EOKA-B in response to President Archbishop Makarios' deviation from the policy of enosis
Enosis
Enosis refers to the movement of the Greek-Cypriot population to incorporate the island of Cyprus into Greece.Similar movements had previously developed in other regions with ethnic Greek majorities such as the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. These regions were eventually incorporated...
as well as the widespread concern that the Greek Junta would attempt to impose upon the Greek Cypriots what they thought was an unacceptable settlement to the Cyprus problem. Nationalistic elements had been angered by Makarios' rejection of enosis in 1959 and were further incensed when he had reaffirmed this position on his re-election in 1968.
The organization is commonly referred as a terrorist organization in countries such as the United Kingdom because EOKA-B was engaged in bombing campaigns against police forces. This terminology was shared by President Makarios
Makarios
Makarios is a Greek given name. The old-Greek word Μακάριος makarios is a prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ makar ; supremely blessed; by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy....
on his speech at the UN following the coup.
When George Grivas
George Grivas
Georgios Grivas , also known by his nom de guerre Digenis , which he adopted while in EOKA, was a Cyprus-born general in the Greek Army, leader of the EOKA guerrilla organization and EOKA B paramilitary organisation.-Early life:Georgios Grivas was born on July 5, 1898 in Trikomo, Famagusta...
returned to Cyprus in 1971, he created EOKA-B in response to President Archbishop Makarios' deviation from the policy of enosis
Enosis
Enosis refers to the movement of the Greek-Cypriot population to incorporate the island of Cyprus into Greece.Similar movements had previously developed in other regions with ethnic Greek majorities such as the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. These regions were eventually incorporated...
. He was angered by Makarios' rejection of enosis in 1959 and was further riled when the President reaffirmed this position on his re-election in 1968. Grivas took the reins of EOKA-B and attempted to overthrow Makarios in order to achieve enosis through violent means.
Whereas EOKA
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
(1955–59) were seen by the majority of the Greek Cypriots as anti-colonialist freedom fighters, the EOKA-B did not have the overwhelming support of the Greek Cypriot population, who were skeptical over the organisation's tactics. The only armed, organized resistance to EOKA-B came from the members of the Socialist Party EDEK. The Communist Party AKEL, despite the mild verbal opposition to EOKA-B, had not organized any form of resistance against it.
When Grivas Digenis died from heart failure in January 1974, the new leadership of EOKA-B increasingly came under the direct control and influence of the military junta in Athens. On July 15, 1974, the EOKA-B with approval of the Greek Dictator Dimitrios Ioannides
Dimitrios Ioannides
Dimitrios Ioannidis , also known as Dimitris Ioannidis, was a Greek military officer and one of the leading figures in the Greek military junta of 1967–1974.He was born in Athens to a wealthy, upper middle-class business family with roots in Epirus....
and the help of the National Guard
Cypriot National Guard
The Cypriot National Guard , also known as the "Greek Cypriot National Guard" or simply as "National Guard", is the combined arms military force of the Republic of Cyprus...
, launched a military coup, overthrowing Makarios and installing Nikos Sampson
Nikos Sampson
Nikos Sampson was the de facto president of Cyprus who succeeded Archbishop Makarios, President of Cyprus, in 1974. Sampson was a journalist and a member of EOKA, which rose against the British colonial administration, seeking Enosis of the island of Cyprus with Greece...
as the dictator of Cyprus. This action served only to provoke a Turkish intervention
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
on July 20, 1974, leading to the subsequent de facto division of the island.
EOKA-B committed the Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre
Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre
Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre , refers to the massacre of Turkish Cypriots by EOKA B on 14 August 1974 in the villages of Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda. 89 people from Maratha and Santalaris were killed, and a further 37 people were killed in the village of Aloda...
s.