On November 15, 1967, George Grivas-Digenis, by order of the Archbishop and President of the Republic of Cyprus, Makarios III, launched the "Operation Grontos" to restore order in the village of Kofinou. The bloody clash between National Guard and Turkish Cypriot forces in the Turkish Cypriot enclave of Larnaca province was the prelude to the Turkish invasion that followed seven years later.
The village of Kofinou is located in the province of Larnaca and since 1960, it was inhabited exclusively by Turkish Cypriots. After the Turkish invasion of 1963, the village was turned into a military stronghold of the Turkish Cypriots and has been a hotbed of incidents ever since. As in the other enclaves of the surrounding areas, many Turkish Cypriots circulated armed and, among other things, cut off the roads of the villages, prohibiting the passage of Greek Cypriot vehicles through the enclaves.
The "problematic" Mehmet and Kofinou's change to Geçitkale…
In 1966, Mehmet Mehmet, known as Tcshetin, was appointed local commander of TMT in Kofin. His "problematic" character, as Michael Harbottle and UNFYCIP admitted, his impulsiveness, as well as his immaturity, were the reasons why the region was facing problems every day and the tension was growing. In January 1967, under his orders, the name of Kofinou was changed and the new sign of the village now read Geçitkale.
Warnings and concern
The situation was deplorable and seemed to get out of control. Incidents of violence, shootings and disputes were the daily routine of the residents of Kofinou, Agios Theodoros, Skarinou and Marie. Greek Cypriot politicians, President Makarios DG, as well as Grivas, in various telegrams to UNFYCIP or in reports, express their concern about the deteriorating situation and the need for immediate intervention of the peacekeeping force to restore order. But the answer they received was silence.
"Operation Grontos"
The situation was spiraling out of control and President Makarios DG appealed to the UN forces for help and intervention. But the peacekeeping force was slow to respond as it was reluctant to intervene in the area. Her advice was for the Government to remain patient and vigilant to avoid a bloody end. The government of Makarios, however, could no longer be left with folded arms.
On November 15, 1967, General Georgios Grivas Digenis undertook with the National Guard, under the orders of Makarios III, to restore order.
The operation was named "Gronthos" and Grivas mobilized many forces, transforming its character from a police officer to a military man. With the National Guard, tanks, armor and artillery, initially intervened in the mixed village of Agioi Theodoroi, which was occupied almost unopposed. He then turned to Kofinou, where the bloody events took place.
In the ensuing battles, 24 Turkish Cypriots were killed and 9 others wounded, while the losses of the National Guard were one dead and two wounded.
Turkey's threats of war and the preparations of the Turkish Cypriot side
The consequences of the Kofinou crisis were frightening. Turkey described the operation as a "severe provocation" and spoke of genocide, while US Ambassador to Turkey Parker T. Hart told the State Department that "the patience and restraint shown by Turkey can not be continue ".
Two weeks later, the American Cyrus Vance settled the crisis with the withdrawal of the Greek division from the island, as well as the recall of General Grivas from the Greek junta. Cyprus was now completely exposed to a possible Turkish invasion.
The creation of the "Turkish Cypriot Interim Administration"
On December 28, 1968, the Turkish Cypriots, taking advantage of the lifting of restrictive measures for the movement of people and goods, as well as the withdrawal of the Greek division and General Grivas to Greece, announced the creation of the "Turkish Cypriot Interim Administration".
The head of the administrative formation was Dr. Fazil Küçük and Vice President Rauf Denktaș. Thus, for the first time, the Turkish Cypriots presented themselves as an autonomous political entity.
The war invasion was closer than ever.
Source: Mixanitouxronou