E.O.K.A. 70 Year Anniversary Celebrations

E.O.K.A. 70 Year Anniversary Celebrations

EOKA 70 Year Anniversary: April 2025 marks 70 years since the start of EOKA’s armed campaign against British colonial rule in Cyprus. The National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) launched its struggle on April 1, 1955. The goal was Enosis—union with Greece. The fight lasted until 1959 and shaped Cyprus’ future.

The Birth of EOKA

Greek Cypriots desired freedom from British control. Colonel Georgios Grivas, a Greek army officer, led EOKA. Archbishop Makarios III, the religious and political leader, supported the movement. The British had ruled Cyprus since 1878. Cypriots grew tired of foreign rule.

The First Attacks

EOKA’s campaign began with coordinated bombings across Cyprus. The targets were British military and government sites. The Nicosia radio station, army bases, and police stations suffered attacks. The British responded with force. Curfews, arrests, and executions followed.

Guerrilla Warfare

EOKA fighters used hit-and-run tactics. They ambushed British soldiers and sabotaged installations. The mountains provided hiding spots. Grivas, codenamed Digenis, directed operations secretly. The British deployed thousands of troops to crush the rebellion.

British Countermeasures

The British declared emergencies. They imposed strict laws. Suspects faced detention without trial. Torture and hangings occurred. Villages suspected of aiding EOKA suffered punishments. The British also offered rewards for information. Some Cypriots collaborated as informants.

The Role of Cypriot Civilians

Many ordinary people supported EOKA. Families hid fighters. Women carried messages and supplies. Students protested. The British saw entire communities as threats. Collective punishments increased resentment.

International Reaction

The conflict drew global attention. Greece backed EOKA diplomatically. Turkey opposed Enosis and supported partition. The UK refused to leave. The UN discussed Cyprus but took no action. Violence escalated.

The End of the Struggle

By 1959, both sides sought peace. The Zurich-London Agreements created an independent Cyprus. EOKA stopped fighting. Makarios became president. Cyprus gained independence in 1960. But tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots remained.

Legacy of EOKA

EOKA’s struggle remains controversial. Supporters call it a fight for freedom. Critics say it caused division. The conflict led to later violence in the 1960s and 1974. Today, Cyprus remains split.

Conclusion

EOKA 70 year anniversary was celebrated throughout Cyprus. The whole of Cyprus remembers today all those who fought and brought us the freedom we have today. Their sacrifice became an emblem of the freedom of Cyprus from the English dynasty.

Seventy years later, EOKA’s campaign still matters. It shaped Cyprus’ history. The fight for Enosis failed, but independence came. The struggle’s impact lingers in politics and memory.