EOKA B

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 EOKA-B members tactics included killing both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civilians, who were opposed to their ideology.

Formation

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. 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...
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