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Special Forces Command (Cyprus)

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Special Forces Command
Διοίκηση Καταδρομών
Active1964–present
CountryCyprus
Allegiance National Guard General Staff
TypeSpecial Forces
Role
PatronSaint George
Motto(s)Ο Tολμών Nικά
O Tolmon Nika
Who Dares Wins
EngagementsCypriot intercommunal violence

1974 Cypriot coup d'état

  • Battle of the Presidential Palace
  • Battle of the Broadcasting corporation
  • Battle of the Police headquarters-reserve corps
  • Battle of the Archdiocese

Turkish invasion of Cyprus

1978 Egyptian raid on Larnaca International Airport

EgyptAir Flight 181
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Loukas Hatzikonstantas

The Special Forces Command (Greek: Διοίκηση Καταδρομών, romanized: Dioikisi Katadromwn) is a combat arm of the Cypriot National Guard.[1] The primary mission of the Special Forces is unorthodox warfare and this is the purpose for which they began their training in 1964, primarily in the Troodos Mountains, while shortly after, they began operations against Turkish Cypriot rebels (TMT members) and the Turkish forces operating on the island.[2]

History

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Prior to its formation in 1964, Cyprus had no central unorthodox/ special operations capability but rather had relied on remnants and teams that had either remained after EOKA was disbanded and to units such as Vassos Lyssarides' teams (Also known as the "Κοκκινοσκούφηδες", "Red berets" in English).[3][4]

1964-1974

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After the crisis in 1963, the Cypriot government introduced the Cypriot National Guard and in the summer of 1964 (July 9), the 31st Commando Battalion was formed and was based in Evrychou.[5][6]

It took on its first mission in August 1964 during the Battle of Tillyria against the Turkish Armed Forces and TMT, eventually helping the then newly formed National Guard achieve its first victory but also losing its first 3 soldiers.[7][8]

In September 1964, the 32nd Commando Battalion was formed in the Saittas region, in Troodos, and on the 30th of April 1965, the 33rd Commando Battalion was formed near Pedoulas.[9][10]

In 1967, the special forces once again were called to action in an operation codenamed "Gronthos", with the aim of clearing the hills in and around the Kofinou village of all Turkish resistance, though an initial operational success, the command took 1 casualty and the political consequences of the operation were severe.[11]

In December 1973, the 34th Commando Battalion was formed as a purely reserve component of the Special Forces Command.[12]

During the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état, the Special Forces played a pivotal role, taking over all of their objectives including, the Presidential Palace, the broadcasting corporation, the Cyprus Police headquarters and its reserve corps and the Archdiocese.[13][14]

On the 20th of July, when Turkey invaded Cyprus, the Special Forces took part in operations to clear the Kyrenia Mountains and specifically, Pentadaktylos, in an operation codenamed "Lavida" and also other operations such as the defense of Nicosia International Airport and defending various hills.[15][16][17][18]

1974-present

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In 1978, after a hijacking at Larnaca International Airport, Egyptian special forces attempted a rescue operation in an attempt to mimic Operation Entebbe, however due to them not gaining permission from the Cypriot government, a gunfight ensued with the Cypriot special forces and other elements of the national guard, leading to the Egyptians suffering heavy casualties (36 killed or injured), a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and jeep also being destroyed.[19][20]

After the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion, commandos were sent to guard the area for a period of time.[21]

In recent years, the Special Forces Command has increased its cooperation with countries such as Greece, Israel, France, Egypt and the United States with units such as:[22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

Uniform and Insignia

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All members of the Brigade wear the unit insignia depicting a winged sword, representative of the "deadly, silent and swift" nature of special forces operations. A scroll runs across the sword and wings with the motto "Who Dares Wins" (Greek: Ο Τολμών Νικά – O Tolmon Nika), a tribute to the Free Greek Special Forces that served with the 1st Special Air Service (1 SAS) Brigade during World War II. The unit flash is emblazoned with Greek: Δυνάμεις Καταδρομών, lit. 'Raider Forces'.[29]

All Raiders wear the green beret with the Greek national emblem on the left.[29]

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  • LOK officers marching at Republic Fest Military Parade in Italy, 2007.
    LOK officers marching at Republic Fest Military Parade in Italy, 2007.
  • SF operator with his FN SCAR-L rifle.
    SF operator with his FN SCAR-L rifle.
  • SOF operator fast-roping from a heli during Eager Lion.
    SOF operator fast-roping from a heli during Eager Lion.
  • Cypriot Special Forces during fire and movement drills.
    Cypriot Special Forces during fire and movement drills.
  • Special Forces unit flash that is emblazoned with ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ (Raider Forces).
    Special Forces unit flash that is emblazoned with ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ (Raider Forces).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Εθνική Φρουρά – Διευθύνσεις – Διοικήσεις Όπλων". www.army.gov.cy.
  2. ^ Μαριος Αδαμου, Δεκαετια εν Οπλοις 1964–1974, Αμμόχωστος, Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historic Research
  3. ^ "Οι Κοκκινοσκούφηδες του Βάσου Λυσσαρίδη". www.sigmalive.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  4. ^ Redefined, Defence (2021-04-27). "Βάσος Λυσσαρίδης | Η ζωή του Γιατρού και ο "Λόχος Λυσσαρίδη" που απελευθέρωσε τον Πενταδάκτυλο – Φωτογραφίες". DEFENCE ReDEFiNED (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  5. ^ ""Χαράξαμε τοῦ ἐθνικοῦ δρόμου τό μῆκος, δέ γυρίζουμε πίσω στρατιῶτες!" | ΕΣΤΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ". 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  6. ^ "Θα ξεμολύνουμε τα Άγια Χώματα – Θεία Δάφνη αν ως Έλληνες πεθάνουμε" (in Greek). 2022-08-21. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  7. ^ O'Malley, B. and Craig, I., 2011. The Cyprus Conspiracy. London: I.B. Tauris & Co., p.115.
  8. ^ Adamou, Marios (2019). Decade in Arms, 1964–1974 (in Greek) (1st ed.). Sotira, Ammochostos: Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historic Research. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-9925-7571-1-4.
  9. ^ https://www.psek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=76
  10. ^ Vlassis, Savvas (2021-10-17). "Μνημείο Πεσόντων & Αγνοουμένων Καταδρομέων στην Κύπρο". Δούρειος Ίππος. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  11. ^ Adamou, Marios (2019). Decade in Arms, 1964–1974 (in Greek) (1st ed.). Sotira, Ammochostos: Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historic Research. pp. 42–43. ISBN 978-9925-7571-1-4.
  12. ^ "ΚΥΠΡΟΣ 1974: Επιχείρηση Λαβίδα". August 1, 2017.
  13. ^ "Καταδρομείς – Κύπρος 1974 | Smashpoint". 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  14. ^ Group), Radiotileoptiki S. A. (OPEN Digital (2022-07-15). "Σαν σήμερα 15 Ιουλίου, στρατιωτικό πραξικόπημα ανατρέπει τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Μακάριο στην Κύπρο". ΕΘΝΟΣ (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  15. ^ Gr, Armynow (2022-07-22). "Επιχείρηση "Λαβίδα": Ο Δκτής του 33 Λόχου Καταδρομών περιγράφει την ηρωική επίθεση των 31-32-33-34 ΜΚ". ArmyNow.Gr. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  16. ^ Redefined, Defence (2021-07-21). "The Battle of Kotza Kaya | Makis Economides' testimony – "One of the best operations in the world" – Photos & VIDEO". Defence Redefined. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  17. ^ "Live Your Myth In Occupied Cyprus | SOFREP". 2022-10-14. Archived from the original on 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  18. ^ "Η Επιχείρηση "ΝΙΚΗ" και η Μάχη του Αεροδρομίου Λευκωσίας". amynageostratigiki.com (in Greek). 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  19. ^ "1978: Egyptian forces die in Cyprus gunfight". 1978-02-19. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  20. ^ "UP TO 15 EGYPTIAN COMMANDOS DIE TRYING TO FREE HOSTAGES ON JET WHEN CYPRIOT SOLDIERS OPEN FIRE". The New York Times. 1978-02-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  21. ^ "Καταδρομείς με κίνδυνο της υγείας τους φυλάνε τη ναυτική βάση". www.sigmalive.com. 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  22. ^ "Συνεκπαίδευση της Ζ' ΜΑΚ με Προσωπικό των Ειδικών Δυνάμεων της Ε.Φ της Κύπρου! (φωτό)". veteranos |Εθνικά Θέματα (in Greek). 2018-05-22. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  23. ^ Gross, Judah Ari. "Israeli commandos train in Cyprus in drill dubbed 'Game of Thrones'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  24. ^ Gross, Judah Ari. "In mountains and cities of Cyprus, IDF special forces train for war". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  25. ^ "Special forces of Cyprus and Egypt mount joint drill (photos) | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com/. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  26. ^ "Άσκηση τμήματος της MARSOC με τμήμα της 33 ΜΚ στην Κύπρο". Δούρειος Ίππος. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  27. ^ fm (2023-06-12). "Cyprus-France conduct 'Bold Wings' military drill". Financial Mirror. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  28. ^ "Cyprus special forces hold joint exercise with US navy seals". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  29. ^ a b "Διευθύνσεις – Διοικήσεις Όπλων". GEEF. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
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