Supporters of terror group EOKA attack TRNC civilians from buffer zone

Supporters of the EOKA terrorist organization carried out an attack Wednesday from the buffer zone in Lefkosa, targeting civilians on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) side.

Greek Cypriot groups gathered in southern Lefkosa to mark the April 1 founding anniversary of EOKA and threw stones, sticks, and improvised explosives at civilians sitting in a park located within TRNC territory, according to authorities.

The attack took place around noon, with civilians in the area coming under assault from across the buffer zone.

Turkish soldiers deployed nearby responded to the incident, while TRNC police moved in to secure the area. Following the intervention, the attackers, including some masked individuals, retreated from the borderline and fled.

In the aftermath, the TRNC Presidency initiated demarches with the UN and the Greek Cypriot Administration. TRNC President Tufan Erhürman also condemned the attack.

EOKA was founded in the mid-1950s by Greek Cypriot-origin Greek officer Georgios Grivas, aiming to end Cyprus's status as a "British crown colony" and unite the island with Greece through armed operations.

Following the end of British rule and the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the group carried out attacks targeting Turkish Cypriots and also killed Greek Cypriots who opposed its ideology.