Cyprus marks 1974 coup against Makarios

The sound of sirens, reverberating at 08:20 this morning reminded those on the island of the military coup of July 1974 against president Archbishop Makarios.
He was ousted by the Greek Cypriot EOKA-B paramilitary organisation, backed by the Greek military and was replaced by pro-Enosis (union with Greece) nationalist Nicos Sampson.
The coup was followed five days later by the Turkish invasion, which resulted in the occupation of 37 per cent of the Republic’s territory and its de facto division.
A church service for those killed during the coup was held in the morning at Saint Constantinos and Eleni Church in Nicosia (picture), in the presence of s President Nicos Anastasiades. Wreaths were laid at the tombs of those killed defending the Republic.
Later on the 56-seat House of Representatives held a special session to denounce the coup and the Turkish invasion and honour those who sacrificed their life for democracy and for their country.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.