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January 27, 1958: Violent Turkish Cypriot Riots for Taksim-Partition

Published January 27, 2026, 10:16
January 27, 1958: Violent Turkish Cypriot Riots for Taksim-Partition

It is 68 years since the violent riots of Turkish Cypriots on January 27th and 28th, 1958, a critical episode during the British colonial period in Cyprus. The riots began in Nicosia with mobilizations of Turkish Cypriot students and under the slogan of partition ('Taksim'), escalating tensions that prevailed due to the anti-colonial struggle of EOKA. The events led to widespread unrest, attacks, and street battles, resulting in the imposition of strict security measures by the British administration and casualties. The uprising is considered a turning point by the Greek Cypriot side, as it marked the organized promotion of the policy of partition by the Turkish Cypriots and caused deep rifts in intercommunal relations, ultimately leading to the breakdown of social cohesion and the partition of the island.