ELDYK
Encyclopedia
The Hellenic Force in Cyprus , commonly known in its abbreviated form as ELDYK (ΕΛΔΥΚ), is the permanent Greek
military force
stationed in Cyprus
. ELDYK was formed on November 20, 1959 at Agios Stefanos
, Athens
, soon after the Zürich and London Agreement
s established the independence of Cyprus. Per the subsequent Treaty of Guarantee, Greece, along with Turkey
and the United Kingdom
, would be the new state's guarantor powers. To that end, the permanent presence of a small military detachment from both Greece and Turkey was authorized, in addition to the British military presence in the Sovereign Base Areas
.
On August 16, 1960, the day that Cyprus became officially independent, ELDYK soldiers disembarked at Ammochostos
. The first commander of ELDYK was Colonel Dionysios Arbouzis, a distinguished officer who had already led the Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea
, and the total force was 950 men. Initially, its headquarters were established west of Nicosia
in the Ayios Dhometios-Yerolakos area. During the period of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
between July 20 and August 17, 1974, ELDYK participated actively against the Turkish innvaders in several battles. The most notable battles entailed the attack against the Geunyeli (Kioneli
) village (July 20, 1974), the battle at the ELDYK military base (between July 21 and August 16, 1974), and the Battle of Vasilia Passage (August 3 until August 11, 1974). A total of some 200 men were lost in these battles.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
military force
Military of Greece
The armed forces of Greece consist of:* The Hellenic National Defense General Staff* The Hellenic Army* The Hellenic Navy* The Hellenic Air ForceThe civilian authority for the Greek military is the Ministry of National Defense....
stationed in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. ELDYK was formed on November 20, 1959 at Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos
Agios Stefanos is a rather exclusive suburb in Attica, Greece, about 23 km north of Athens. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Dionysos, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.Agios Stefanos is almost entirely residential, but a few shops line its main...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, soon after the Zürich and London Agreement
Zürich and London Agreement
The Zürich and London Agreement for the constitution of Cyprus started with an agreement on the 19 February 1959 in Lancaster House in London, between Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and Cypriot community leaders...
s established the independence of Cyprus. Per the subsequent Treaty of Guarantee, Greece, along with Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, would be the new state's guarantor powers. To that end, the permanent presence of a small military detachment from both Greece and Turkey was authorized, in addition to the British military presence in the Sovereign Base Areas
Sovereign Base Areas
The Sovereign Base Areas are military bases located on territory in which the United Kingdom is sovereign, but which are separated from the ordinary British territory....
.
On August 16, 1960, the day that Cyprus became officially independent, ELDYK soldiers disembarked at Ammochostos
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
. The first commander of ELDYK was Colonel Dionysios Arbouzis, a distinguished officer who had already led the Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea
Greek Expeditionary Force (Korea)
The Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea was formed in response to the United Nations appeal for assistance in the Korean War. It comprised a reinforced Hellenic Army infantry battalion and a Royal Hellenic Air Force flight of 7 transport planes....
, and the total force was 950 men. Initially, its headquarters were established west of Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
in the Ayios Dhometios-Yerolakos area. During the period of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
between July 20 and August 17, 1974, ELDYK participated actively against the Turkish innvaders in several battles. The most notable battles entailed the attack against the Geunyeli (Kioneli
Kioneli
Kioneli is a town in Northern Cyprus, near the capital city Nicosia. Its population is estimated at around 20,000 people, with a rate of growth of approximately 10% per year.The Turkish Cypriot football club Gönyeli Spor Kulübü is based in Kioneli...
) village (July 20, 1974), the battle at the ELDYK military base (between July 21 and August 16, 1974), and the Battle of Vasilia Passage (August 3 until August 11, 1974). A total of some 200 men were lost in these battles.
See also
- Turkish Armed Forces in Northern Cyprus