| EOKA B | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1971–1974 |
| Leader | George Grivas |
| Motives | The union of Cyprus with Greece (Enosis) |
| Active region(s) | Cyprus |
| Ideology | Nationalism |
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.
EOKA-B was founded by General George Grivas 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.[1] 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 [2] 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.[3] 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.[4] This action served only to provoke a Turkish intervention on July 20, 1974,[4] leading to the subsequent de facto division of the island.
EOKA-B committed the Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacres.[5]