EOKA B
| EOKA B | |
|---|---|
| Participant in Cypriot intercommunal violence and Turkish invasion of Cyprus | |
| Active | 1971–1974 |
| Ideology |
Greek nationalism Enosis Anti-communism |
| Leaders | Georgios Grivas |
| Headquarters | Cyprus |
| Allies |
Greek military junta of 1967–74 Progressive Front |
| Opponents |
Republic of Cyprus Turkish Resistance Organisation EDEK AKEL Pro-Makarios supporters |
EOKA-B was a Greek Cypriot paramilitary organisation formed in 1971 by General Georgios Grivas-Digenis. It followed an ultra 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. In addition the organisation drafted various plans to overthrow President Makarios. The organisation dissolved following a failed coup d'état attempt in 1974 and the subsequent Turkish Invasion of Cyprus.
Due to its attacks on civilians, it was considered a terrorist organization and was outlawed by the Republic of Cyprus, led by Makarios III. Among the attacks it is responsible for is the Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre.
EOKA-B was founded by General George Grivas as his last organizational attempt before his death in January 17 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.
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 III on his speech at the UN following the coup. After Grivas returned to Cyprus in 1971, he created EOKA-B in response to President Archbishop Makarios' deviation from the policy of enosis in 1959 and the reaffirmation of this position during his re-election in 1968. Grivas, along with his new EOKA-B organisation, attempted to forcefully oust Makarios in order to enact his original goal of enosis with Greece.
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