Bikers from the Greek Cypriot community disrupt crossing points at Lefkosha, impeding traffic.
Remembering the Martyrs of August 1996: The Isaak-Solomou Remembrance Initiative
The Isaak-Solomou Remembrance Initiative is a grassroots movement in Cyprus that honours the memory of Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, two Greek Cypriots who lost their lives in violent incidents near the buffer zone and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) border in August 1996.
The tragic events unfolded on August 8, 1996, when Tasos Isaak was killed during clashes at the UN-patrolled buffer zone near Dherynia. Isaak, a Greek Cypriot protester, was attempting to illegally enter TRNC territory and was caught in barbed wire. He was beaten to death by Turkish Cypriots and Turks.
Three days later, on August 14, Solomos Solomou was shot dead by a Turkish soldier while attempting to climb a flagpole to remove a Turkish flag in the same area.
The Isaak-Solomou Remembrance Initiative was established to commemorate these tragic events and demand justice. The initiative organises annual protests, often involving motorcyclists, to remember their sacrifices and highlight the ongoing division and occupation of Cyprus.
The protests are symbolic acts of resistance and remembrance, taking place near the Metehan checkpoint or other border crossings between the Greek Cypriot area and the TRNC. Memorials have been erected to honour Isaak and Solomou, such as the statues of the two men unveiled in Paralimni in 2025.
The protests often disrupt border traffic and emphasise sovereignty claims, serving as a reminder of the Cyprus conflict in the international consciousness. They also involve political figures, religious leaders, and participation across Cyprus, reinforcing national unity and identity tied to the memory of the two men.
Despite the long queues of vehicles on both sides of the border and the heavy security deployed by TRNC and Greek Cypriot police, the protests continue to be a persistent reminder to authorities to pursue international warrants against those responsible for the deaths of Isaak and Solomou. The memory of Isaak and Solomou serves as a symbol of sacrifice and a continuing struggle for peace and reunification.
- The general news is filled with accounts of the annual protests initiated by the Isaak-Solomou Remembrance Initiative, a movement born from the August 1996 tragedy in Cyprus where Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou lost their lives.
- In Europe, the politics of the Cyprus conflict remain complex, intertwined with crime and justice issues as the Initiative persistently calls for international warrants against those responsible for the deaths of Isaak and Solomou, almost three decades later.
