Special Forces Command (Cyprus)

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, he began operations against Turkish Cypriot rebels (TMT members) and the Turkish forces operating on the island.[2]

Special Forces Command
Διοίκηση Καταδρομών
Active1964–present
CountryCyprus
Allegiance National Guard General Staff
TypeSpecial Forces
Role
PatronSaint George
Motto(s)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

  • Battle of Nicosia Airport
  • Battle of KotsaKaya
  • Battle of Hill 126
  • Battle of Hill 1023
  • Battle of Pyrioi

1978 Egyptian raid on Larnaca International Airport

EgyptAir Flight 181
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Loukas Hatzikonstantas

History

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]

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]

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:[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Uniform and Insignia

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 Τολμων Νικα – 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 Δυνάμεις Καταδρομών (Raider Forces). While on operation, low-visibility patches are worn.[26]

All Raiders wear the green beret with the Greek national emblem on the left.[26]

See also

References
  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".
  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. "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.
  20. Gross, Judah Ari. "Israeli commandos train in Cyprus in drill dubbed 'Game of Thrones'". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  21. Gross, Judah Ari. "In mountains and cities of Cyprus, IDF special forces train for war". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  22. "Special forces of Cyprus and Egypt mount joint drill (photos) | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com/. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  23. "Άσκηση τμήματος της MARSOC με τμήμα της 33 ΜΚ στην Κύπρο". Δούρειος Ίππος. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  24. fm (2023-06-12). "Cyprus-France conduct 'Bold Wings' military drill". Financial Mirror. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  25. "Cyprus special forces hold joint exercise with US navy seals". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  26. "Διευθύνσεις – Διοικήσεις Όπλων". GEEF. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
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