Battle of Morina
| Battle of Morina | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Kosovo War | |||||||
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kosovo Liberation Army |
 FR Yugoslavia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Sadri Avdyli[4] |
Nebojša Pavković | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
Brigade 134 |
 Yugoslav Armed Forces | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 20–30 soldiers[5] | 1,500 soldiers[5] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 6 killed[6] | 64 killed[7] | ||||||
Cyrillic: Битка код Морине, Albanian: Beteja e Morinës took place on July 7, 1998, in the village of Morina, in the Gjakova District of Kosovo, during the Kosovo war.
Background
The control of the Morina Pass ensured the uninterrupted flow of weapons and supplies from Albania, allowing the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to fortify its positions in the operational Zone of Dukagjini. This logistical advantage enabled the KLA to maintain and strengthen their already expanded presence, established in April from Nec to Junik, despite relentless Serbian attacks.[8]
On May 30, 1998, 1 Yugoslav Military Officer alongside 2 soldiers were killed whilst another officer and soldier survived but were seriously wounded in a mine explosion by the KLA near the Morina watchtower as a Serb vehicle attempted to enter KLA held Morina.[9]
On June 14, 1998, and May 25, 1998, the village of Morina was heavily shelled by Serbian forces.[10][11]
The battle
The battle took place in the region of Reka Keqe and was commanded by Agron (Osman) Rama and Sylejman Sylejmani under Brigade 134, which was led by Agim Ramadani.[12] The battle itself was commanded by Sadri Avdyli.[4] The battle ended in a victory for the KLA against Yugoslav forces, who secured the critical supply corridor of the Morina Pass and forced Yugoslav troops to retreat.[8] The operation established a critical corridor for KLA operations in western Kosovo.[8]
Aftermath
The village of Morina later became a key route in transporting Albanian refugees from Kosova to Albania. On May 14, 1999 Morina was reported to have been destroyed.[13]
Ramush Haradinaj, marking the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Morina in 2023, stated that it "marked a new chapter in our liberation war in Dukagjin." He emphasized the fighters’ contributions and their role in securing vital supply routes near the Albanian border, which helped strengthen the KLA’s position.[14]
References
- ↑ "Ish-komandanti i UÇK-së për Betejën e Morinës: Ishte beteja më e fuqishme dhe më e përgjakshme, humbëm djemtë më të zotë". Bota Sot.
- ↑ I, L. (July 7, 2023). "Beteja e Morinës: 25 vjet nga thyerja e korridorit (VIDEO)". klankosova.tv.
- ↑ "Europäische Sicherheit". E.S. Mittler. January 12, 2006. p. 42.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Ish-komandanti i UÇK-së për Betejën e Morinës: Ishte beteja më e fuqishme dhe më e përgjakshme, humbëm djemtë më të zotë". demokracia.com. 7 July 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Qeriqi, Zamir (March 29, 2024). "Arben Avdyl Ukshini (15.12.1978 – 7.7.1998)". radiokosovaelire.com.
- ↑ "25 vjet nga beteja e Morinës, familjarët e dëshmorëve të zhgënjyer me institucionet shtetërore". epokaere.com. 7 July 2023.
- ↑ "Familjari i dëshmorit të UÇK-së: Lufta na u është imponuar - Dukagjini". 7 July 2023.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Qeriqi, Zamir (March 29, 2024). "Naim Shin Avdiu – Lata (21.1.1977 – 29.3.1999)". radiokosovaelire.com.
- ↑ "HINA OTS". www.hina.hr.
- ↑ "Wochenbericht 419 von KMDLNJ/CDHRF - Weekly report 419 - from June 14 until June 21, 1998". www.bndlg.de.
- ↑ "Wochenbericht 415 von KMDLNJ/CDHRF - Weekly report 415 - from May 24 until May 27, 1998". www.bndlg.de.
- ↑ Migration--Bürokratie--Alltag. LIT Verlag Münster. 2011. p. 182. ISBN 978-3-643-10591-2. Search this book on
- ↑ "A Village Destroyed, May 14, 1999: War Crimes In Kosovo". Aperture: The Complete Archive. 2003.
- ↑ "Haradinaj kujton Betejën e Morinës: Shënoi kapitull të ri në luftën tonë çlirimtare në Dukagjin". gazetademos.com. July 7, 2023.
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