Liberation Army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac

In 1992–1993, ethnic Albanians created the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA){{cite book |last1=Eriksson |first1=Mikael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EuVWELK7awsC&pg=PA43 |title=Mediation and Liberal Peacebuilding: Peace from the Ashes of War? |last2=Kostić |first2=Roland |date=15 February 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-18916-6 |pages=43–}} which started attacking police forces and secret-service officials who abused Albanian civilians in 1995.Perret 2008, p. 63 Starting in 1998, the KLA was involved in frontal battle, with increasing numbers of Yugoslav security forces. Escalating tensions led to the Kosovo War in February 1998.{{cite book |author=Independent International Commission on Kosovo |url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/6D26FF88119644CFC1256989005CD392-thekosovoreport.pdf |title=The Kosovo Report |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0199243099 |location=Oxford |page=2 |access-date=2020-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411181432/https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/6D26FF88119644CFC1256989005CD392-thekosovoreport.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-11 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=Quackenbush |first=Stephen L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9c5DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA202 |title=International Conflict: Logic and Evidence |publisher=Sage |year=2015 |isbn=9781452240985 |location=Los Angeles |page=202 |access-date=2020-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111165732/https://books.google.com/books?id=l9c5DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA202 |archive-date=2023-01-11 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=June 1999 |title=Roots of the Insurgency in Kosovo |url=https://www.ausa.org/sites/default/files/BB-82-Roots-of-the-Insurgency-in-Kosovo.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625175227/https://www.ausa.org/sites/default/files/BB-82-Roots-of-the-Insurgency-in-Kosovo.pdf |archive-date=2021-06-25 |access-date=2020-08-08}}

After the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, a three-mile "Ground Safety Zone" (GSZ) was established between Kosovo (governed by the UN) and inner Serbia and Montenegro. Yugoslav Forces (VJ) units were not permitted there, and only the lightly armed Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs forces were left in the area.{{cite web|url=http://www.ce-review.org/00/43/kosovonews43.html|title=A calm Kosovo moves towards a tense future|publisher=Ce-review.org|access-date=7 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210190030/http://www.ce-review.org/00/43/kosovonews43.html|archive-date=10 February 2012|url-status=usurped}}

The exclusion zone included the predominantly Albanian village of Dobrosin, but not Preševo. Serbian police had to stop patrolling the area to avoid being ambushed. Ethnic Albanian politicians opposed to the KLA were attacked, including Zemail Mustafi, the vice-president of the Bujanovac branch of Slobodan Milošević's Socialist Party of Serbia who was later assassinated.{{Cite web |date=2000-03-10 |title=KLA provocations in Mitrovica and southwest Serbia |url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2000/03/koso-m10.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=World Socialist Web Site |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Erlanger |first=Steven |date=2000-03-02 |title=Kosovo Rebels Regrouping Nearby in Serbia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/02/world/kosovo-rebels-regrouping-nearby-in-serbia.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Between 21 June 1999 and 12 November 2000, 294 attacks were recorded. 246 in Bujanovac, 44 in Medveđa and 6 in Preševo. These attacks resulted in 14 people killed (of which six were civilians and eight were policemen), 37 people wounded (two UN observers, three civilians and 34 policemen) and five civilians kidnapped. In their attacks, UÇPMB used mostly assault rifles, machine guns, mortars and sniper rifles, but occasionally also RPGs, hand grenades, and anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.{{cite news|first=Ninoslav|last=Krstic|author2=Dragan Zivkovic|title=Извођење операције решавања кризе на југу Србије изазване деловањем наоружаних албанских екстремиста (терориста)| work=Vojno delo|issn=0042-8426|page=180}}

The UÇPMB included child soldiers from their mid-teens.{{cite web|title=Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|publisher=Child Soldiers International|year=2001|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/498805fbc.html|quote=The UCPMB is an Albanian armed group operating in southern Serbia whose operations are reportedly controlled by the Political Council for Presovo. They are calling for the incorporation of the cities of Preshava, Medvegia and Bujanovci into Kosovo. Estimates of numbers vary between 200 and 15,000.
The Guardian newspaper reported in January 2001 that some sixty suspected members of the UCPMB guerrilla had been arrested by peacekeepers. UCPMB recruits include children in their mid teens to men in their forties ... Further confirmation of the participation of child soldiers came when KFOR detained 16 juveniles (aged 15-17) in the first two months of 2001 for alleged involvement in the conflict (although the degree of "involvement" is not clear). The international media claim that there is forced recruitment of juveniles into this group but this is not verified and numbers are small ... A 15-year-old Albanian male was reported shot dead on 23 March 2001 in the Ground Safety Zone near Gnjilane. Although no confirmations have been received, the circumstances suggest he may have been a child soldier.
UNICEF, 9/3/01 op. cit.Information (provided by [a] confidential source that requests confidentiality, 3/01)}}

The Liberation army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac aimed to create autonomy for the three Albanian municipalities within Serbia and drive Serbian institutions out and hold an election for unification with the Republic of Kosovo.{{cite book |last1=Janssens |first1=Jelle |title=State-building in Kosovo. A plural policing perspective |date=2015 |publisher=Maklu |isbn=9789046607497 |page=135 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YS15BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA135}}

On 4 March 2000, around 500 UÇPMB fighters attacked the city of Dobrosin. The battle resulted in one UÇPMB and one Serb fighter killed,{{Cite web |title=Die vergessenen Albaner Serbiens - Zur Lage der ethnischen Albaner in Südserbien außerhalb des Kosovo - Ulf Brunnbauer in Südosteuropa, Zeitschrift für Gegenwartsforschung, 7-8/1999 |url=http://www.bndlg.de/~wplarre/back370d.htm |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.bndlg.de |quote=Overnight Friday, Albanian witnesses reported clashes between the Serbian police and the UCPBM fighters in Dobrosin. And a week ago, a UCPBM fighter and a Serb policeman were killed, while two policemen were injured in clashes in the village.}} while another 175 were displaced.{{Cite web |last= |author-link=Associated Press |date=2000-03-05 |title=Civilians Flee Serbian Border Town |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-05-mn-5617-story.html |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} On 21 November 2000, members of the UÇPMB attacked the city of Dobrosin and the surrounding villages. Heavy fighting resulted in the VJ retreating to Končulj, Lučane, and Bujanovac.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JhkWAQAAMAAJ |title=Yugoslav Survey |publisher=Jugoslavija Publishing House |year=2000 |location=Indiana University |language=English}}{{Cite book |last=Mukarji |first=Apratim |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/47667218 |title=Assertive democracy : transition in Yugoslavia : selected documents |publisher=Indian Council of Social Science Research and Manak Publications |others=Apratim Mukarji, K. G. Tyagi, Indian Council of Social Science Research |year=2001 |isbn=81-7827-024-2 |edition= |location=New Delhi |pages=442 |language=English |oclc=47667218}} After four policemen were killed and two wounded by the UÇPMB, the VJ retreated back to the GSZ.{{cite news |date=4 May 2012 |title=Uhapšeni Albanci otimali i kasapili Srbe |url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/aktuelno.292.html:378228-Uhapseni-Albanci-otimali-i-kasapili-Srbe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708083604/http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/aktuelno.292.html:378228-Uhapseni-Albanci-otimali-i-kasapili-Srbe |archive-date=8 July 2012 |access-date=27 December 2012 |publisher=Večernje Novosti}}

On 6 January 2001, the UÇPMB took control of Gornja Šušaja,{{Cite web |title=Në kujtim të 20 vjetorit të njërës nga betejat e luftës së Preshevës – Epoka e Re |url=https://www.epokaere.com/ne-kujtim-te-20-vjetorit-te-njeres-nga-betejat-e-luftes-se-presheves/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |language=en-US}} and were well received by the locals. On 19 January, in command of Bardhyl Osmani, raided VJ positions near Crnotince.{{Cite web |last=+Presheva.AL |date=2021-01-25 |title=Në njëzet vjetorin e Betejës së Shoshajës 24-28 janar të vitit 2001 |url=https://presheva.al/2021/01/ne%cc%88-nje%cc%88zet-vjetorin-e-beteje%cc%88s-se%cc%88-shoshaje%cc%88s-24-28-janar-te%cc%88-vitit-2001/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=PRESHEVA.AL |language=en-US}} On 20 January, the VJ launched an attack against the UÇPMB stronghold. The battle lasted for four days when VJ forces were forced to withdraw.

On 13 May 2001, the VJ and Serbian police launched an attack on the UÇPMB in Oraovica before they entered Sector B. The fighting began at 6:10 am when Yugoslav troops entered the city. At 7:00 am, the UÇPMB attacked Serbian police and fired three rockets towards Oraovica and VJ positions. Attacks from the UÇPMB stopped at 8:00 am. On 14 May 2001, the Yugoslav troops captured the city after the UÇPMB attacked again at 2:15 pm.{{Cite web |date=2001-05-16 |title=Yugoslavia: Troops Win Tactical Victory In Presevo Valley |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1096448.html |access-date=2018-06-29 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}

On 21 May 2001, members of the UÇPMB signed the Končulj Agreement, which resulted in the full demilitarization, demobilization, and disarmament of the UÇPMB.{{Cite web |last=Kožul |first=Dejan |date=16 August 2021 |title=THE FORGOTTEN VALLEY |url=https://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/the-forgotten-valley/?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=2E30612541B14F62B61F97665E9B029F |website=Kosovo 2.0}}{{Cite web |title=PA-X: Peace Agreements Database |url=https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/1430#:~:text=This%20agreement%20provides%20for%20the,Medveda%20and%20Bujanovac%20(UCPMB). |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.peaceagreements.org}} The agreement stated that the VJ was allowed to enter the GSZ by 31 May 2001.{{Cite web |title=www.glas-javnosti.co.yu |url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2001/05/26/srpski/X01052501.shtml |access-date=2020-08-22 |website=arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs}}{{Cite web |title=Ušli smo u ozloglašeno selo, rodni kraj teroriste, uoči "Dana Kapetana Lešija": Kada smo pitali Albance za njega, dobili smo jasan odgovor, na srpskom (FOTO) |url=https://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/srbija/3063524-usli-smo-u-ozloglaseno-selo-rodni-kraj-teroriste-uoci-dana-kapetana-lesija-kada-smo-pitali-albance-za-njega-dobili-smo-jasan-odgovor-na-srpskom-foto |access-date=2020-08-22 |website=Telegraf.rs |date=23 May 2019 |language=sr}} At the same time, the Serbian side agreed to sign the Statement on conditional amnesty for members of the UÇPMB, which promised amnesty to UÇPMB fighters on 23 May 2001.{{Cite web |date=2009-12-29 |title=Serbia: IDPs still seeking housing solutions and documentation to access their rights |url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b45add62.pdf |website=refworld.org}}

As the situation escalated, NATO allowed the VJ to reclaim the GSZ on 24 May 2001, at the same time giving the UÇPMB the opportunity to turn themselves over to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), which promised to only take their weapons and note their names before releasing them. More than 450 UÇPMB members took advantage of KFOR's "screen and release" policy, among them commander Shefket Musliu, who turned himself over to KFOR at a checkpoint along the GSZ just after midnight of 26 May 2001.{{Cite web |last=Yumpu.com |title=NATO and the KLA TWO |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31080418/nato-and-the-kla-two |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=yumpu.com |page=134 |language=en}}

{{Further|National Liberation Army (Macedonia)|2001 insurgency in Macedonia}}

With the signing of the Končulj Agreement in May 2001, the former KLA and UÇPMB fighters next moved to western Macedonia where the NLA was established, which fought against the Macedonian government in 2001. Ali Ahmeti organized the NLA from former KLA and UÇPMB fighters from Kosovo, Albanian insurgents from the UÇPMB in Serbia, young Albanian radicals, nationalists from Macedonia, and foreign mercenaries.{{cite book |author=Pål Kolstø |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jGNWORa2QccC |title=Media Discourse and the Yugoslav Conflicts: Representations of Self and Other |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |year=2009 |isbn=9780754676294 |page=173}}{{Cite news |last=Marusic |first=Sinisa |date=2020-09-02 |title=North Macedonia Albanian Leader Testifies to Kosovo War Prosecutors |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/09/02/north-macedonia-albanian-leader-testifies-to-kosovo-war-prosecutors/ |work=Balkan Insight}} The acronym was the same as the KLA's in Albanian.

Another Albanian paramilitary organization Albanian National Army (ANA, AKSh) also had former UÇPMB fighters.{{cite book |editor1=S. Cross |editor2=S. Kentera |editor3=R. Vukadinovic |editor4=R. Nation |title=Shaping South East Europe's Security Community for the Twenty-First Century: Trust, Partnership, Integration |date=2013 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9781137010209 |pages=98, 101}} The group is associated with FBKSh (National Front for Reunification of Albanians), its political wing. The group participated in attacks against Macedonian forces with the NLA.{{cite web |date=August 10, 2001 |title=Macedonia - defense: Buckovski: "Let tragedy be the beginning of the end of the war" |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/former-yugoslav-republic-macedonia/macedonia-defense-buckovski-let-tragedy-be-beginning-end |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=Relief.web |language=English |quote="ANA" CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING OF TEN MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS Skopje, August 10 - A new armed group of ethnic Albanians on Thursday claimed responsibility for the killing of ten Macedonian army reservists in a highway ambush a day earlier. The "Albanian National Army" (AKSH) e-mailed a statement to several media in the region, on Albanian-language, saying a combined unit of its fighters and of the so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) carried the attack out "in revenge" for the killing of five NLA members by Macedonian security forces.}}{{cite web |title=Rebels kill three policemen in Macedonia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/nov/13/balkans |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018023909/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/nov/13/balkans |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=The Guardian |quote=In a statement yesterday, a dissident ethnic Albanian group calling itself the Albanian National Army claimed responsibility for the killings, saying: "The Skopje government is restarting its terror and sees war as the only response to Albanian demands."}} After the NLA disbanded, the ANA later went and operated in the Preševo Valley.{{Cite web |title="Albanische Nationalarmee" bekennt sich zu Anschlag im südserbischen Presevo-Tal – DW – 13.08.2003 |url=https://www.dw.com/de/albanische-nationalarmee-bekennt-sich-zu-anschlag-im-s%C3%BCdserbischen-presevo-tal/a-947229 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=dw.com |language=de}}

The UÇPMB was organized into five brigades, each with their own commanders:

• 111th Brigade, commanded by Sami Haziju
• 112th Brigade, commanded by Ridvan Qazimi
• 113th Brigade, commanded by Bardhyl Osmani{{Cite web |title=Mitat Skender Musliu Komandat i Njisitit 16.02.1981/14.05.2001 |url=http://www.shhlp.com/historiku-i-deshmoreve/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=SHoqata Humanitare Lugina e Presheves |language=de-DE}}
• 114th Brigade, commanded by Muhamet Xhemajli
• 115th Brigade, commanded by Njazi Azemi{{Cite web |date=2020-03-26 |title=Respekt e nderim për Njazi Azemin-Komandant "Mjekrra" në 19-vjetorin e rënies |url=https://2lonline.com/respekt-e-nderim-per-njazi-azemin-komandant-mjekrra-ne-19-vjetorin-e-renies/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=2LONLINE |language=sq}}

• Shefket Musliu{{surrendered}} (highest commander){{cite news |date=26 May 2001 |title=Rebel Albanian chief surrenders |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1353692.stm}}
• Muhamet Xhemajli{{surrendered}} (second commander)
• Ridvan Qazimi{{KIA}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Razmena vatre došla mu glave |url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2001/05/26/srpski/X01052501.shtml |access-date=2020-08-22 |website=arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs}}{{Cite web |last= |title=Albanci Preševa i Bujanovca slave komandanta Lešija |url=https://www.blic.rs/vesti/drustvo/albanci-preseva-i-bujanovca-slave-komandanta-lesija/4dxf3c6 |access-date=2020-08-22 |website=Blic.rs |date=22 May 2013 |language=sr}} (third commander)
• Njazi Azemi{{KIA}} (commander)
• Bardhyl Osmani{{KIA}} (commander)
• Pacir Shicri{{surrendered}} (spokesman){{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1137189.stm|work=BBC News|title=British K-For troops under fire|date=25 January 2001}}
• Tahir Dalipi{{surrendered}} (spokesman)
• Lirim Jakupi{{surrendered}} (spokesman)
• Jonuz Musliu{{surrendered}}
• Avdil Jakupi{{Cite web |last=Unternehmensberatung |first=ADVOKAT |title=Entscheidung TE AsylGH Erkenntnis 2008/09/04 B3 318745-1/2008 - JUSLINE Österreich |url=https://www.jusline.at/entscheidung/519524 |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=www.jusline.at |language=de}}
• Tahir Sinani
• Shaqir Shaqiri
• Mustafa Shaqiri{{surrendered}}
• Nagip Aliu{{surrendered}}
• Orhan Rexhepi{{surrendered}}
• Arben Ramadani{{KIA}}{{Cite web |date=2016-03-06 |title=Qendra për Informim e Kosovës |url=http://www.kosova.com/arkivi1997/i000522.htm |access-date=2023-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075358/http://www.kosova.com/arkivi1997/i000522.htm |archive-date=2016-03-06 }}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/in-serbia-albanian-gunmen-go-silently-to-work-722134.html In Serbia, Albanian gunmen go silently to work], The Independent, 2 March 2000.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20000528174639/http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/2000/313/presevo.html A War Waiting to Happen: Clashes between Serbs and ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia threaten to ignite a fresh conflict], TIME, 13 March 2000.
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1166322.stm Albanian rebels training for Serbian war], BBC News, 12 February 2001
• [http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/feb2001/koso-f14.shtml Albanian separatists continue fighting in Kosovo buffer zone], World Socialist Web Site, 14 February 2001.

{{Authority control}}

{{Yugoslav Wars}}

{{Albanian separatist organizations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liberation Army Of Presevo, Medveda And Bujanovac}}

Category:Liberation Army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac

Category:Albanian paramilitary organizations

Category:Albanian nationalism in Serbia

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