EOKA
EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston or National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) was a Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla organization founded in 1955. The primary goal of EOKA was to achieve Enosis, which means the union of Cyprus with Greece. Here's a detailed overview:
Founding and Leadership
EOKA was established under the leadership of Georgios Grivas, a former Greek Army officer, who went by the nom de guerre "Digenis". The organization was formed in response to British colonial rule in Cyprus, which had been a British Crown Colony since 1925.
Struggle Against British Rule
- 1955-1959: EOKA began its armed campaign against British forces and any Cypriots who opposed Enosis, including some members of the Turkish Cypriot community. Their tactics included sabotage, bombings, and assassinations.
- They targeted British military installations, police stations, and infrastructure, aiming to make British rule untenable.
Key Events
- April 1, 1955: The campaign officially started with attacks on various British targets.
- 1956-1958: The conflict intensified with increased British military presence and the formation of the TMT (Turkish Resistance Organization) by Turkish Cypriots, escalating ethnic tensions.
- 1959: The Zurich-London Agreements were signed, leading to the end of the armed struggle. These agreements paved the way for the independence of Cyprus, but not for Enosis.
Outcome and Legacy
The armed struggle of EOKA did not achieve its primary goal of Enosis. Instead, Cyprus gained independence in 1960 as a republic with a power-sharing agreement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, the legacy of EOKA remained influential:
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