1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus

1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus
Location Nicosia, Cyprus
Date August 19, 1974
Attack type
 Rioting and shootings
Deaths 2
Non-fatal injuries
 Unknown

The 1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus were violent anti-American rioting that took place in front of the United States embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus on August 19, 1974. The events took place days after the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which resulted in Turkey controlling 40% of the island.

Hundreds of Greek-Cypriots who were frustrated at the failure of the United States to quell the Turkish forces and fearing its alleging support for Turkey started to protest and riot. Many of those who took part were leftists.

The American ambassador to Cyprus, Rodger Davies, who was seeking shelter inside the embassy, was shot and killed by sharpshooters belonging to EOKA-B, a Greek-Cypriot nationalist paramilitary.[1] from about 100 yards away.[2] An embassy employee, Antoinette Varnava, who rushed to his aid, was also killed by a sniper bullet.[3]

In February 1977, the Cypriot government decided to arrest six EOKA-B extremists and try them for the assassination of ambassador Davies.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Historical Dictionary of Terrorism - Stephen Sloan, Sean K. Anderson - Google Books". Books.google.com. 2001-09-11. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  2. ↑ Harveston, Kate (2012-08-21). "Remembering Ambassador Rodger Davies". Intpolicydigest.org. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  3. ↑ "Cyprus - August 1974: "It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador" - Association for Diplomatic Studies and TrainingAssociation for Diplomatic Studies and Training". Adst.org. 1974-08-19. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  4. ↑ Fitchett, Joseph (1977-02-04). "Cyprus to Arrest, Try 6 Rightists In '74 Death of U.S. Ambassador". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
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