TRNC official warns of politically backed extremism in Greek Cyprus against Turks

A senior Turkish Cypriot official has warned that extremist groups targeting Turkish Cypriots are receiving political support from Greek Cypriot authorities, raising concerns about growing tensions on the divided island.

Prof. Dr. Ata Atun, a member of the Presidential Advisory Board of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), told Anadolu Agency that a newly formed organization called the “Revolutionary Freedom Fighters Movement” has direct connections to far-right political parties in Greek Cyprus.

The group’s emergence coincides with commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of EOKA, an organization known for its historical attacks against Turkish Cypriots that began its campaign against British rule on April 1, 1954.

“These individuals make threatening gestures in their own territories and throw stones and sticks at the Turkish side, trying to act heroically and intimidate Turks,” Atun said. “They’re saying they will establish a Revolutionary Freedom Fighters Movement and continue the struggle against Turks until they are expelled from the island. However, none of this has any basis in reality.”

Atun emphasized that the annual April 1 commemorations held in Greek Cyprus serve less as a national holiday and more as a message to the Turkish side, with this year’s events in schools and streets leading to provocative actions.

Far-right ELAM finances and backs new extremist movement

According to Atun, the extremist movement has strong ties to the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM) party in Greek Cyprus.

“This racist organization is connected to the racist political party ELAM and is also financed by them,” Atun stated. “Since EOKA no longer exists, this new Revolutionary Freedom Fighters Movement has emerged. They supposedly intend to expel Turkish Cypriots from the island and unite it with Greece.”

He noted that during the April 1 celebrations organized by ELAM, participants “issued a statement propagating that Cyprus territories are occupied by Türkiye. They openly called for war against Turks. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Atun pointed out that regardless of political leanings, Greek Cypriot politicians embrace EOKA’s ideology as a national motto. Despite being a terror organization from the 1950s, its ideology remains strong today among Greek Cypriots.

EOKA ideology finds backing beyond Cyprus as part of anti-Türkiye operations

The Turkish Cypriot official suggested that the recent revival of EOKA-inspired ideology is part of broader operations against Türkiye that receive international support.

“ELAM takes a very fanatical, very right-wing position on this issue. Those who support ELAM in Greece are the organization known as Golden Dawn, which is represented in the Greek parliament and the European Union parliament,” Atun said.

He added that all political parties represented in the Greek Cypriot parliament, regardless of being right or left-wing, are united in their stance against the TRNC and believe the island is occupied by Türkiye.

“They all become fanatical right-wingers and support their racist views both nationally and internationally,” he said.

Despite these provocations and their international backing, Atun emphasized that Türkiye remains the strongest power in the region, both on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean waters. He noted that no international power would want to confront Turkey directly.

Atun concluded that just as in the past, Türkiye would stand by Turkish Cypriots at the right moment, warning that it would be unwise for the Greek Cypriot side to rely on America, Israel, Britain, Greece, or any other country in confronting Türkiye.