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Background

The United Kingdom had promised Greece that all the above would be a commitment to be fulfilled if Greece would enter World War I on the side of the Allies; the offer was withdrawn when Greece declined. EOKA engaged to free the Greek Cypriots from British rule. The leadership of AKEL at the time (a political party with communist roots), opposed EOKA's military action, advocating the Gandhiesque approach of civil disobedience such as workers' strikes and demonstrations. This came into direct contrast with the previous leadership who some 5 years ago had organised the plebiscite of 1950, where the vast majority of all Greek-Cypriots who voted were for the union with Greece (98%). This was organised by the Church and there are reports that the threat of excommunication was used to encourage voting for enosis. .

Ideology

EOKA was a right wing nationalistic organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, it is generally accepted that EOKA also had a target of achieving enosis (union of Cyprus with Greece). However, although this ideology reflected in some of its members (and chiefly its military leader George Grivas) throughout the armed campaign, it was not of universal acceptance. The political arm of EOKA (with Makarios as head) took a more compromising approach especially during the later stages of the struggle.

Ultimately, the intents of the struggle were political, not military. EOKA wanted to attract the attention of the world through high profile operations that would make the press headlines. In his memoirs Grivas admits to "by deeds of heroism and self sacrifice to draw the attention of international public opinion, especially among the allies of Greece".

Armed campaign

The military campaign officially began on April 1 1955. On this date EOKA launched simultaneous attacks on the British controlled Cyprus Broadcasting Station in Nicosia (led by Markos Drakos), on the British Army's Wolseley barracks and on targets in Famagusta (led by Grigoris Afxentiou). Thereafter and unlike other anti colonial movements, EOKA confined its acts to sabotaging military installations, ambushing military convoys and patrols, and assassinating British soldiers and local informers. It did not attempt to control any territory, a tactic that according to Grivas would not have suited the terrain and size of Cyprus nor the imbalance of EOKA's conventional military capabilities with respect to the British Army.

Formation and Structure

The organisation was headed by George Grivas. Grivas had rich military experience having been educated at the Hellenic Military Academy, having served as an officer in the Greek army and having fought for Greece in both World Wars. In terms of ideology, of particular relevance was his action during the Hellenic Civil War where he led Organisation X, a right wing faction charged with opposing the leftist group ELAS. Grivas assumed the nom de guerre Digenis in reference to the Byzantine Digenis Akritas, who repelled invaders from the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages.

Second in command was Grigoris Afxentiou who had also served in the Greek army. Afxentiou had graduated from the reserves Officers Academy in 1950 but had no prior experience in active military operations.

Recruitment of members was targeted at the younger population. The conditions for a mass uprising as witnessed in other colonial conflicts did not exist in Cyprus. There were no fundamental economic problems nor was there widespread poverty or food shortage. The working class was largely allied to the left wing party of AKEL which did not openly support an armed struggle. Cyprus' privileged geographical position allowed the middle class to prosper through international trade, activities that were openly encouraged by the British administration. As a result EOKA's leadership directed recruitment to the "passionate youth".

At the peak of the conflict EOKA guerillas numbered 1,250 members (250 regulars plus 1,000 active underground). They faced British security forces totalling 40,000 (32,000 regulars plus 8,000 auxiliaries). It was clandestinely supported by the Greek Government in the form of arms, money and propaganda on radio stations broadcast from Athens. The cost of running the campaign was reported to be only GBP £50,000 (US $140,000) for the whole 4 years.

Targets

British Military

EOKA's main target as stated both in its initiation oath and its initial declaration of existence was the British military. In total during the campaign EOKA engaged in 1,144 armed clashes with the British Army. About 53% of clashes took place in urban areas, whilst the rest (47%) took place in rural areas.

During the course of the insurrection a total of 105 British servicemen were killed and 51 members of the police.

Others

Apart from the British military, EOKA also targeted civilian installations on the island as well as Turks and civilian populations judged to be working against their cause.

Greek Cypriots

Greek Cypriots suspected of being allied to the colonial forces and those believed to be informants were targeted, sometimes with severe brutality. Although the number of operations launched against Greek Cypriots were far less than those against the British military, they were much more efficient. In total 230 assassination attempts were attributed to EOKA action. Of these only 13 targets escaped unharmed, whilst 148 Greek Cypriots were killed and 69 were wounded.

Amongst the 148 killings, 23 were of known leftists. After the end of the struggle there has been debate whether EOKA was also used to target individuals on the basis of their political affiliations, in particular if they did not correspond to Grivas' extreme right ideology. The communist party of AKEL and EOKA veteran fighters have both been outspoken on this issue.

Turkish Cypriots

Taksim (Turkish Cypriot supporters of partition) and members of the Turkish Cypriot insurgent organisation, the Turkish Resistance Organization were targeted.

On the 16 June 1956, the bombing of a restaurant by EOKA led to the death of William P. Boteler, a CIA officer working under diplomatic cover. Colonel Grivas immediately issued a statement denying a deliberate attempt to target American citizens. He further warned American officials, for their own safety, to avoid the establishments patronized by "our British enemy.

In October 1956 an EOKA leader, Pilots Christof], was captured during Operation Sparrowhawk. The following year, Grigoris Afxentiou burned to death in the Battle of Machairas. A number of other Greek fighters were hanged, including the 18-year old, Evagoras Pallikarides.

EOKA's activity continued until December 1959 when a cease-fire was declared which paved the way for the Zürich agreement on the future of the country.

The EOKA aim to rid Cyprus of British rule was partially met when on 16 August 1960 Cyprus achieved independence from the United Kingdom with the exception of two "Sovereign Base Areas" (SBA) at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The settlement explicitly denied enosis - the union with Greece sought by EOKA. Although Cyprus gained its independence, it came with a complex constitution and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee - a security arrangement compromising of a three-way guaranteeship from Turkey, Greece and Britain that neither would annex the independent republic. (see History of Cyprus).

Dissolution and legacy

The EOKA campaign lasted - officially - until 31 March 1959. After independence EOKA fighters formed regional associations such as ΣΑΠΕΛ (Σύνδεσμος Αγωνιστών Πόλεως και Επαρχίας Λεμεσού; Union of Fighters of Limassol and district) that have been participating in commemorations, museum collections etc. In the 90's a dedicated old people's home for ex EOKA fighters was constructed in the village of Palodhia, near Limassol.

A museum dedicated to the EOKA struggle was created in 1960 and is located in the centre of Nicosia.