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Battle of Jabllanica

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Battle of Jabllanica
Part of Kosovo War
DateAugust 1998 and May 9–17, 1999
Location
Jabllanicë, near Gjakova, Kosovo
Result

KLA victory

  • August 1998: KLA launch an attack and Capture successfully captured Jabllanica[1]
  • May 1999: KLA successfuly recapture Jabllanica after its fall
Belligerents
Kosovo Liberation Army Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslav Army
Commanders and leaders
Fadil Nimani[2]
Agron Rama[3]
Lahi Brahimaj[4]
Ramush Haradinaj[5]
Daut Haradinaj[6]		 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Unknown
Strength
Hundreds Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Unknown
Casualties and losses
37 killed (15 in first battle and 22 in second battle)[7] Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Unknown

The Battle of Jabllanica was a confrontation between the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Yugoslav forces in the village of Jabllanicë, Gjakova region, during the Kosovo War. Two battles took place: the first in August 1998 and the second from 9 to 17 May 1999.

Background

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Jabllanica had a reputation as a militant village. Serbian forces had avoided entering it for years due to strong local resistance. In March 1993, following small-scale clashes, discussions began about organizing village defense. Nazmi Brahimaj returned from Switzerland with weapons and, under the request of Ramush Haradinaj, helped form the first KLA unit in the Dukagjin Plain. The unit included fighters like Luan Haradinaj and was built on trust and family-based recruitment.[8]

By 1994, the KLA had smuggled in more weapons and began organizing quietly. Only a small group within the village knew about the activities.[9]

The battles

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The August 1998 clash marked the first major confrontation in the area. The second and more intense battle occurred in May 1999. Serbian forces temporarily captured Jabllanica, but Lahi Brahimaj led a successful counter-attack and retook it.[10]

A total of 37 KLA fighters died across both battles. Despite losses, the KLA was able to hold the area and push back Yugoslav forces. Jabllanica’s terrain allowed for guerrilla tactics, and the KLA used it to their advantage.[11]

Aftermath

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The battle opened the Albanian border further and helped the KLA build strength with more weapons being supplied[12].Jabllanica, although excluded from the later Dukagjini operational zone, remained active, and villagers continued to resist even without central KLA command.[13]

Before its liberation, Serbian forces arrested 30 civilians for carrying an Albanian flag on the way to a wedding. All were tortured.[14] After the battle, two Albanian civilians were shot and killed in 1998 during a ceasefire violation in the area.[15]

The KLA's military camp in Jabllanica became the subject of war crimes allegations. Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj, and Lahi Brahimaj were accused of crimes from March to September 1998, but were acquitted in 2010 due to no evidence being presented.[16] Their release was widely celebrated in Gjakova.[17] Haradinaj was arrested again in 2004 on similar charges related to Jabllanica again but was later released.[18]

Legacy

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The battle is seen as a turning point in the Kosovo War. It showed the KLA could mount serious resistance and pressured the Yugoslav government. Jabllanica is commemorated annually on 17 May as a day of liberation.[19]The achievements and relentlessness of the Kosovo Liberation Army in Jabllanica was recognised and praised by American General Wesley Clark.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Zef Flushmarku, Ramoaj pa apologji [Memories Without Apology], Shtëpia Botuese "Logos-A", Tetovë, 2021, p. 110. Online version
  2. ^ "Agron Osman Rama (10.8.1972 – 29.1.1999)". 29 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Agron Osman Rama (10.8.1972 – 29.1.1999)". 29 January 2025.
  4. ^ Nimoni, Genc (2014). "Slučaj Haradinaj i ostali" (PDF). Regionalna škola tranzicione pravde - Zbornik. 1: 55–59.
  5. ^ https://kosovo.sensecentar.org/assets/the-missing-link/08-06-en.pdf
  6. ^ "Beteja që u lartësua nga gjenerali Clark: Përkujtohen dëshmorët e rënë të UÇK-së në Jabllanicë". 17 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Me 13 prill të vitit 1999 në frontet e luftës së UÇK-së kanë rënë dëshmorë…". 13 April 2024.
  8. ^ Vickers, Miranda; Pettifer, James (27 October 2006). The Albanian Question: Reshaping the Balkans. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-0-85771-024-6.
  9. ^ "Jabllanica ishte shndërruar në çerdhe të Lëvizjes Kombëtare Çlirimtare".
  10. ^ Nimoni, Genc (2014). "Slučaj Haradinaj i ostali" (PDF). Regionalna škola tranzicione pravde - Zbornik. 1: 55–59.
  11. ^ "Nderohen dëshmorët e Jabllanicës së Gjakovës". 25 December 2016.
  12. ^ Vickers, Miranda; Pettifer, James (27 October 2006). The Albanian Question: Reshaping the Balkans. Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-0-85771-024-6.
  13. ^ Muharremi, Robert; Ramadani, Alisa (12 July 2024). Transforming a Guerilla into a Regular Army: From the Kosovo Liberation Army to the Army of the Republic of Kosovo. Springer. ISBN 978-3-031-62817-7.
  14. ^ http://journals.academiczone.net/index.php/ijfe/article/download/96/72
  15. ^ "Kosovo cease-fire violations continue - UPI Archives".
  16. ^ "Kosovo: Haradinaj Verdict Could Mean Government Reshuffle". 30 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Haradinaj and his co-fighters cleared of all counts (Radio Kosova) | Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs".
  18. ^ "ICTY Prosecution: Drenica Meant Death". 25 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Shqiponja (Jabllanica) e Dushkajës festoi 25-vjetorin e çlirimit dhe nderoi veprën atdhetare të të rënëve në luftën për liri". 17 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Beteja që u lartësua nga gjenerali Clark: Përkujtohen dëshmorët e rënë të UÇK-së në Jabllanicë". 17 May 2023.
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