NICOSIA, Cyprus: The tranquility of the village of Chlorakas, located in the western part of Cyprus, was shattered recently as tensions flared between immigrants and local residents.
The incident, which involved violent clashes and property damage, resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals by Cyprus police. The clashes followed a peaceful protest by migrants against violence, ultimately leading to confrontation between different groups. This article explores the background, events, and underlying issues that contributed to this unfortunate incident.
Tensions Escalate in Chlorakas, situated approximately 155 km west of the capital city of Nicosia, has witnessed growing tension between immigrants and local residents, particularly those seeking asylum. The village is home to a sizable population of asylum-seekers, making up about 20 percent of the migrant community, with a significant number hailing from Syria. Over the years, this demographic mix has fueled tensions among locals who believe that the number of asylum seekers and refugees is disproportionately high in their community.
Peaceful Protest and Subsequent Violence: The upheaval in Chlorakas began with a peaceful sit-down protest staged by migrants to denounce violence. This event took place late on a Sunday, with hooded individuals causing damage to property and vehicles owned by non-Cypriots. Following the protest, tensions reached a boiling point as groups of migrants and Greek Cypriots clashed. The police had to intervene using tear gas and water cannons to keep the groups apart. Regrettably, during the clashes, a police officer suffered minor injuries due to a thrown petrol bomb.
Cyprus has experienced an influx of irregular migrants and asylum seekers in recent years, though the rate of increase has slowed down in the current year. The situation has raised concerns among various communities, leading to localized conflicts like the one in Chlorakas. In response, the Cyprus government declared Chlorakas off-limits to new arrivals in 2021 and initiated efforts to relocate migrants living in substandard conditions, without access to basic amenities like electricity and running water.
Chlorakas’ recent disturbances followed a demonstration in which approximately 300 people marched through the village, demanding an end to irregular migration. While the majority of demonstrators remained peaceful, a subset deviated from the main group and engaged in acts of property damage. These incidents highlight the urgent need for constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions to address the concerns of both local residents and migrants.
