Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense has commemorated the victims of the “Bloody Christmas” attacks carried out against Turkish Cypriots on December 21, 1963, by the Greek Cypriot terror organization EOKA, honoring their memory with respect and remembrance.

In a statement on X, the ministry recalled that during the attacks, many Turkish Cypriots lost their lives without distinction between women, children, or the elderly, and emphasized that it shares the enduring pain of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The events of December 21, 1963, known as Bloody Christmas, remain etched in history as an unforgettable tragedy for Turkish Cypriots. During the planned assault by EOKA, civilians were deliberately targeted, resulting in the deaths of numerous women, children, and elderly people, and leaving deep scars on the community.

The Ministry of National Defense described Bloody Christmas not as a clash, but as a “planned massacre.” The statement said that within a single night, Turkish Cypriot living areas were systematically targeted, families were torn apart, and an entire community was plunged into profound grief.

The ministry stressed that Bloody Christmas is not merely a historical memory, but also a symbol of the Turkish Cypriot people’s resistance and struggle for survival. It added that the memories of the Turkish Cypriots who were martyred during the attacks are being honored with deep respect.

Bloody Christmas continues to be recorded in history books and official records as a symbol of the attacks faced by Turkish Cypriots, serving as a reminder of the suffering endured and the resilience shown by the community in the face of violence.  (ILKHA)