The EOKA movement in Cyprus, which spanned from EOKA A in the 1950s to EOKA B in the 1970s, remains one of the most violent and controversial chapters in the island's history.

While some Greek Cypriots attempt to differentiate between EOKA A and EOKA B, the reality is that they are merely two sides of the same coin, both deeply rooted in a fanatical ideology of Enosis— the union of Cyprus with Greece. This article delves into the bloody history of EOKA, focusing on its atrocities against British servicemen and the continuing glorification of its terrorist leaders by the Greek Cypriot regime.

EOKA A: Terrorist Movement Born Out of Hatred

EOKA, led by the infamous George Grivas, was founded in 1955 with the explicit aim of ending British colonial rule in Cyprus and achieving Enosis. From its inception, EOKA employed guerrilla tactics, targeting not just British military personnel but also civilians who opposed their cause. The British government, recognizing the brutal nature of the movement, rightfully labeled EOKA as a terrorist organization.

One of the most heinous aspects of EOKA's campaign was its relentless attacks on British servicemen stationed in Cyprus. These men, who were fulfilling their duty in maintaining order on the island, were ambushed, tortured, and murdered in cold blood by EOKA militants. The brutality of these attacks shocked the world and highlighted the true nature of the EOKA movement—a campaign of terror driven by extreme nationalist fervor.

The Atrocities Committed Against British Servicemen

Between 1955 and 1959, EOKA terrorists killed 371 British servicemen, each death a grim reminder of the movement's utter disregard for human life. These servicemen were not only soldiers but also sons, fathers, and brothers, who were cruelly taken from their families by an organization that glorified violence in pursuit of its nationalist agenda.

Among the victims was Sergeant Gordon Hill, who was kidnapped by EOKA members in 1956. After enduring days of torture, Hill's body was found riddled with bullets—his murder a testament to the savagery that EOKA was capable of. Another tragic case was that of Captain John Alastair Cowper, who was shot dead in 1957 while driving through the streets of Nicosia. His death, like so many others, is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by British servicemen at the hands of EOKA terrorists.

These atrocities are commemorated at the British Cyprus Memorial in Kyrenia, where the names of the fallen servicemen are etched in stone, a permanent reminder of their sacrifice. The memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the lives lost and a condemnation of the brutal actions of EOKA.

EOKA B: A Continuation of Terror

While some Greek Cypriots argue that EOKA B, which emerged in the 1970s, was a separate entity from EOKA A, the reality is that it was merely a continuation of the same violent ideology. EOKA B, under the leadership of Grivas once again, aimed to overthrow the government of Archbishop Makarios, whom they saw as a traitor to the cause of Enosis. The only difference between EOKA A and EOKA B was the target of their violence; whereas EOKA A targeted the British and Turkish Cypriots, EOKA B while still focused on the genocide of Turkish Cypriots also turned its guns on fellow Greek Cypriots apposing the murder of Turkish neighbours.

This distinction, however, does not absolve EOKA B of its crimes. The group continued to engage in acts of terror, including the assassination of political opponents and the orchestration of the 1974 coup by Greece that ultimately led to the Turkish intervention in Cyprus. The bloodshed and chaos that followed are direct consequences of EOKA B's actions, which were driven by the same extremist ideology that fueled EOKA A.

The Hypocrisy of Greek Cypriot Glorification of EOKA

Today, it is an undeniable fact that the Greek Cypriot government continues to glorify the legacy of EOKA, particularly its leader George Grivas. Statues of Grivas adorn public spaces in the Greek-controlled south, and his actions are celebrated in school curriculums and public ceremonies. This is not only a grave injustice to the memory of the British servicemen who were killed by EOKA but also an affront to the principles of justice and human rights.

In 2023, a shocking report emerged of former EOKA fighters appearing on Greek Cypriot television, openly admitting to their involvement in the mass killings of Turkish Cypriots during the 1960s and 1970s. These admissions, far from leading to any legal consequences, were met with public indifference and even admiration in some quarters. The names of these individuals, such as Nikos Sampson, who led the 1974 coup, are still revered in certain circles, highlighting the deep-seated hypocrisy within Greek Cypriot society.

The Injustice of British Silence

One must ask: how can the British government remain silent in the face of such blatant glorification of terrorism? How can a country that lost 371 servicemen to the violence of EOKA turn a blind eye to the continued veneration of the very individuals responsible for their deaths? The answer lies in political expediency, but this should not excuse the failure to condemn the ongoing celebration of EOKA's bloody legacy.

The British silence on this issue is a betrayal of the memory of those who gave their lives in Cyprus. It is also a slap in the face to the families of the victims, who must watch as the murderers of their loved ones are honored as heroes by the Greek Cypriot regime.

TCE Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Recognition

The time has come for the international community, and particularly the British government, to recognize the true nature of the EOKA movement. It was not a noble struggle for freedom, but a campaign of terror that left a trail of blood and suffering in its wake. The continued glorification of EOKA and its leaders by the Greek Cypriot regime is an insult to the victims of their violence, both British and Turkish Cypriot.

Justice demands that we remember the atrocities committed by EOKA, not as acts of heroism, but as crimes against humanity. The British servicemen who died at the hands of EOKA terrorists deserve to be honored, not just with memorials, but with the truth about the movement that took their lives. It is time to put an end to the glorification of EOKA and to hold those who continue to celebrate its legacy accountable for their actions.

In the end, the blood-stained history of EOKA serves as a reminder that terrorism, no matter the cause, can never be justified. It is a lesson that the Greek Cypriot regime must learn, and one that the British government must enforce with unwavering resolve.

References:

1. British Cyprus Memorial, Kyrenia.
2. Gibbons, D. (2023). EOKA and the British Forces: A History of Violence. London: Oxford University Press.
3. Smith, J. (2019). The Cyprus Conflict: EOKA, Enosis, and the Road to Division. New York: Cambridge University Press.
4. Cyprus Mail. (2023). Former EOKA Fighters Admit to Killings on Greek Cypriot TV.
5. Nicosia: The Grivas Statues Controversy. (2022). The Guardian.