Special Forces Command (Cyprus)

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).{{Cite web |title=Οι Κοκκινοσκούφηδες του Βάσου Λυσσαρίδη |url=https://www.sigmalive.com/archive/simerini/columns/iristho/130271 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.sigmalive.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Redefined |first=Defence |date=2021-04-27 |title=Βάσος Λυσσαρίδης {{!}} Η ζωή του Γιατρού και ο "Λόχος Λυσσαρίδη" που απελευθέρωσε τον Πενταδάκτυλο – Φωτογραφίες |url=https://defenceredefined.com.cy/βάσος-λυσσαρίδης-η-ζωή-του-γιατρού-και/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=DEFENCE ReDEFiNED |language=el}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title="Χαράξαμε τοῦ ἐθνικοῦ δρόμου τό μῆκος, δέ γυρίζουμε πίσω στρατιῶτες!" {{!}} ΕΣΤΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ |url=https://www.estianews.gr/kentriko-thema/charaksame-tou-ethnikou-dromoy-to-mikos-de-gyrizoyme-piso-stratiotes/ |access-date=2023-07-18}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-21 |title=Θα ξεμολύνουμε τα Άγια Χώματα – Θεία Δάφνη αν ως Έλληνες πεθάνουμε |url=https://www.olympia.gr/1505658/istoria/tha-xemolynoyme-ta-agia-chomata-theia-dafni-an-os-ellines-pethanoyme/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |language=el}}

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.O'Malley, B. and Craig, I., 2011. The Cyprus Conspiracy. London: I.B. Tauris & Co., p.115.{{Cite book |last=Adamou |first=Marios |title=Decade in Arms, 1964–1974 |publisher=Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historic Research |year=2019 |isbn=978-9925-7571-1-4 |edition=1st |location=Sotira, Ammochostos |pages=38–39 |language=El}}

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.https://www.psek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=76{{Cite web |last=Vlassis |first=Savvas |date=2021-10-17 |title=Μνημείο Πεσόντων & Αγνοουμένων Καταδρομέων στην Κύπρο |url=https://doureios.com/mnimeio-pesonton-agnooumenon-katadromeon-stin-kypro/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Δούρειος Ίππος |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite book |last=Adamou |first=Marios |title=Decade in Arms, 1964–1974 |publisher=Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historic Research |year=2019 |isbn=978-9925-7571-1-4 |edition=1st |location=Sotira, Ammochostos |pages=42–43 |language=El}}

In December 1973, the 34th Commando Battalion was formed as a purely reserve component of the Special Forces Command.{{Cite web|url=https://www.militaire.gr/%CE%BA%CF%85%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83-1974-%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%AF%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%B2%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B1/|title=ΚΥΠΡΟΣ 1974: Επιχείρηση Λαβίδα|date=August 1, 2017}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-17 |title=Καταδρομείς – Κύπρος 1974 {{!}} Smashpoint |url=https://www.smashpoint.gr/guest-hour/%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%84%ce%b1%ce%b4%cf%81%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%b5%ce%af%cf%82-%ce%ba%cf%8d%cf%80%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%82-1974/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Group) |first=Radiotileoptiki S. A. (OPEN Digital |date=2022-07-15 |title=Σαν σήμερα 15 Ιουλίου, στρατιωτικό πραξικόπημα ανατρέπει τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Μακάριο στην Κύπρο |url=https://www.ethnos.gr/todayinhistory/article/165586/sanshmera15ioylioystratiotikopraxikophmaanatrepeitonarxiepiskopomakariosthnkypro |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=ΕΘΝΟΣ |language=el}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Gr |first=Armynow |date=2022-07-22 |title=Επιχείρηση "Λαβίδα": Ο Δκτής του 33 Λόχου Καταδρομών περιγράφει την ηρωική επίθεση των 31-32-33-34 ΜΚ |url=https://armynow.gr/epixeirish-lavida/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=ArmyNow.Gr |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Redefined |first=Defence |date=2021-07-21 |title=The Battle of Kotza Kaya {{!}} Makis Economides' testimony – "One of the best operations in the world" – Photos & VIDEO |url=https://defenceredefined.com.cy/the-battle-of-kotza-kaya-makis-economides-testimony-one-of-the-best-operations-in-the-world-photos-video/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Defence Redefined |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-14 |title=Live Your Myth In Occupied Cyprus {{!}} SOFREP |url=https://sofrep.com/news/live-myth-occupied-cyprus/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014132543/https://sofrep.com/news/live-myth-occupied-cyprus/ |archive-date=2022-10-14 }}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=Η Επιχείρηση "ΝΙΚΗ" και η Μάχη του Αεροδρομίου Λευκωσίας |url=https://amynageostratigiki.com/2022/07/21/%ce%b7-%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b9%cf%87%ce%b5%ce%af%cf%81%ce%b7%cf%83%ce%b7-%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%b7-%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%b9-%ce%b7-%ce%bc%ce%ac%cf%87%ce%b7-%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%85-%ce%b1%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%bf%ce%b4/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=amynageostratigiki.com |language=el}}

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.{{Cite news |date=1978-02-19 |title=1978: Egyptian forces die in Cyprus gunfight |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/19/newsid_2565000/2565701.stm |access-date=2024-04-27 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=1978-02-20 |title=UP TO 15 EGYPTIAN COMMANDOS DIE TRYING TO FREE HOSTAGES ON JET WHEN CYPRIOT SOLDIERS OPEN FIRE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/20/archives/up-to-15-egyptian-commandos-die-trying-to-free-hostages-on-jet-when.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

After the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion, commandos were sent to guard the area for a period of time.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-27 |title=Καταδρομείς με κίνδυνο της υγείας τους φυλάνε τη ναυτική βάση |url=https://www.sigmalive.com/archive/news/local/401705 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.sigmalive.com}}

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:{{Cite web |date=2018-05-22 |title=Συνεκπαίδευση της Ζ' ΜΑΚ με Προσωπικό των Ειδικών Δυνάμεων της Ε.Φ της Κύπρου! (φωτό) |url=https://veteranos.gr/synekpedefsi-tis-z-mak-prosopiko-ton-idikon-dynameon-tis-e-f-tis-kyprou-foto/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=veteranos {{!}}Εθνικά Θέματα |language=el}}{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=Israeli commandos train in Cyprus in drill dubbed 'Game of Thrones' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-commandos-train-in-cyprus-in-drill-dubbed-game-of-thrones/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=In mountains and cities of Cyprus, IDF special forces train for war |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-mountains-and-cities-of-cyprus-idf-special-forces-train-for-war/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-09-15 |title=Special forces of Cyprus and Egypt mount joint drill (photos) {{!}} Cyprus Mail |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/09/15/special-forces-of-cyprus-and-egypt-mount-joint-drill-photos/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=cyprus-mail.com/ |language=}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-09 |title=Άσκηση τμήματος της MARSOC με τμήμα της 33 ΜΚ στην Κύπρο |url=https://doureios.com/askisi-tmimatos-tis-marsoc-me-tmima-tis-33-mk-stin-kypro/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Δούρειος Ίππος |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=fm |date=2023-06-12 |title=Cyprus-France conduct 'Bold Wings' military drill |url=https://www.financialmirror.com/2023/06/12/cyprus-france-conduct-bold-wings-military-drill/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Financial Mirror |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=Cyprus special forces hold joint exercise with US navy seals |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/news/local/cyprus-special-forces-hold-joint-exercise-with-us-navy-seals/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}

• Greece – All SF units
• Israel – Egoz, Unit 669
• France – CPA 10
• Egypt – Special Forces
• United States – MARSOC, Navy SEALs

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" ({{langx|el|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 {{Langx|el|Δυνάμεις Καταδρομών|lit=Raider Forces|label=}}.{{cite web |title=Διευθύνσεις – Διοικήσεις Όπλων |url=http://www.army.gov.cy/el/page/dieuthinseis-dioikiseis-oplon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303015241/http://www.army.gov.cy/el/page/dieuthinseis-dioikiseis-oplon |archive-date=2021-03-03 |access-date=2018-04-21 |website=GEEF}}

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

File:Cypriot Army color guard in parade.jpg|LOK officers marching at Republic Fest Military Parade in Italy, 2007.

File:Cypriot Special Forces Operator with his FN SCAR.jpg|SF operator with his FN SCAR-L rifle.

File:Cypriot SOF fast rope training.png|SOF operator fast-roping from a heli during Eager Lion.

File:Cypriot Special Forces during fire and movement drills.jpg|Cypriot Special Forces during fire and movement drills.

File:Special Forces unit flash that is emblazoned with ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ (Raider Forces)..jpg|Special Forces unit flash that is emblazoned with ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ (Raider Forces).

• Cypriot National Guard
• Battle of Tillyria
• Turkish invasion of Cyprus
• Cyprus Police
• Mobile Immediate Action Unit

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Category:Military of Cyprus

Category:1964 establishments in Cyprus