56 years since Turkey’s bombing of the Tillyria area
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 8th August 2020, Nicosia
The bombing of the area of Tillyria by Turkey in August 1964 was another page of blood and pain in the modern history of Cyprus, with the people of Cyprus paying a heavy price in human lives, wounded and material damage. The raids by the Turkish Air Force were written in the black pages of History due to Turkey’s decision to use incendiary napalm bombs against our people, as a result of which casualties multiplied.
Turkey’s attack on Tillyria took place at a time of intense nationalist bi-communal clashes that were undermining the Republic of Cyprus and accelerating the plans for the partition and NATOisation of our island, with the US Acheson plan as a guiding compass. All through this period, AKEL was the main anti-imperialist force defending the independence and unity of the Republic of Cyprus and its non-aligned policy. AKEL’s role was crucial in the relations Cyprus developed with the Non-Aligned Movement and the socialist community, drawing valuable solidarity and diplomatic support which was crucial for the defense of the statehood of the Republic of Cyprus.
AKEL honors and pays tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives and fought against the Turkey-NATO invasion of 1964, defending the Republic of Cyprus. The list of the heroes of Tillyria includes militants and members of AKEL, EDON Youth and the mass organisations of the Left, such as Kousoulides, member of the Central Council of EDON, Astanios, Kareklas, Eikosaris, Ftochopoulos and dozens of other sons of our people.
The anniversary of the bombing of Tillyria by Turkey finds Cyprus and its people facing the dangerous escalation of Turkey’s aggression, an aggression directed against almost all the states of the Eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus’ reply must be the struggle for the liberation and reunification of our homeland so that Cyprus will be free from the occupying troops, intervention rights and colonalisation of Turkey, for the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework, something that will also contribute to the de-escalation and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.
