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Today marks the 50th anniversary of the July 15, 1974, coup d'état in Cyprus, orchestrated by the junta regime in Athens with the participation of EOKA B'. This coup, which took place during a period of defensive weakness and internal conflict in Cyprus, aimed to overthrow President Makarios III.
The coup unfolded in the early hours of July 15, 1974, with Brigadier General M. Georgitsis, head of the Greek military forces in Cyprus, announcing the start of the operation with the code phrase "Alexandros entered hospitalion." At the time, President Makarios was at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, hosting a group of Greek children from Egypt. As National Guard tanks bombarded the palace, Makarios ensured the children's safety and escaped through an unguarded passage. He fled to Kykkos Monastery and then to Paphos, despite coup plotters repeatedly declaring him dead via RIK broadcasts.
Makarios, however, survived and sent a message from a makeshift radio station in Paphos, urging resistance against the junta. "Greek Cypriot People! You know who's talking to you. I am Makarios. I'm not dead. I'm alive and with you... The junta's coup failed... Resist the junta. Do not be afraid. All join the lawful forces of the state. The junta must not pass and will not pass. All in favor of the fight."
Following his escape, Makarios boarded a British military aircraft, traveling to London via Malta. On July 17, he met with British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Foreign Minister James Callaghan. The United States expressed support for Cyprus's independence, though Secretary of State Henry Kissinger rejected a proposal to back Makarios.
Turkey used the coup as a pretext to invade Cyprus five days later, on July 20. Despite UN Security Council Resolution 353 (1974) and the rapid restoration of constitutional order, Turkey conducted a two-phase invasion, seizing 36.2 percent of Cyprus's territory and displacing approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots. Another 20,000 Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas were also forced to flee.
The events of 1974 have left a lasting impact on both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who continue to live with the consequences of intercommunal violence and the Turkish invasion.
To commemorate the anniversaries of the coup and invasion, sirens will sound in all cities at 8:20 a.m. today, marking the coup's onset, and again on July 20. President Nikos Christodoulides, accompanied by ministers, will attend a memorial service for those who died defending democracy during the coup. The service will be held at the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen at 8:30 p.m. on July 15, followed by a Trisagion and wreath-laying ceremony on the graves of the fallen.
Additional memorial services will be held across metropolitan municipalities, with government representatives laying wreaths on behalf of the president. In Limassol, Justice Minister Marios Chartsiotis will attend the service at the Metropolitan Church of Panagia Pantanassis (Catholic). In Larnaca, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy Nicodemus Damianou will participate at the Church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. In Pafos, Labor and Social Insurance Minister Giannis Panayiotou will be at the Metropolitan Church of Agios Theodoros. In Paralimni, memorials for the coup will be combined with those for the invasion on July 21.
At 11:00 a.m., a special session of Parliament will convene to condemn the anniversaries of the coup and invasion. Various parties and organizations will also hold activities to remember and honor those affected by these events.
[Information sourced from CNA]
