Zhegoc offensive
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the Battle of Zhegoci (Albanian: Beteja e Zhegocit) was a military offensive by Serbian forces against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in an attempt to encircle and eliminate KLA positions in the Zhegoc Highlands.
| Zhegoc offensive | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Kosovo War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kosovo Liberation Army |
 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Salih Mustafa Shemsi Syla Fatmir Mehmet Muharrem Ibrahimi (WIA) |
unknown | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
Brigade 171 "Kadri Zeka" | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
unknown |
6,000[1] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
8 killed |
2 killed | ||||||
| 18 civilians killed and another 49 in the neighboring village of Sllovi[2] | |||||||
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Background[edit]
In the period leading up to the Battle of Zhegoc in 1999, Serbian forces carried out a series of actions in the region. Their actions included an offensive against villages, particularly in Anamorava, with the aim of cutting off supply routes to the KLA. This campaign involved violence, displacement, and destruction.
On April 2, 1999, Serbian forces attacked villages, including Lladovo, Llashticë, Zhegër, and Shurdhan, strategically neutralizing key supply channels. These attacks involved brutality, including torture and arson, in line with a "scorched earth" plan.
Subsequent events on April 6 saw the displacement and mistreatment of the population in Prëlepnica and neighboring areas. Serbian forces repeated this pattern in various villages, spreading fear and undermining local morale.
On April 10, the village of Bresalc was targeted, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Serbian forces continued their assaults on other villages, intensifying violence and chaos in the region. These actions set the stage for the Battle of Zhegoc on April 15, 1999.[3]
During these turbulent days, Serbian forces continued their assaults on other villages, including Uglar, Pogragja, Slubica, and Llovca, further escalating the violence and chaos in the region.
Battle[edit]
On April 15, Serbian forces initiated the engagement by launching a coordinated offensive from multiple directions, including the north (Mramori and Kishnica), east (Llabjani, Parallova, and Bresalci), south (Gadish, Kishnapole, and Sllakoc), and northwest.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., Serbian soldiers and military equipment descended upon Zhegoc, setting the stage for intense combat. The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) quickly regrouped, and by 9:00 a.m., confrontations erupted at Hanet e Zhegoci. During this exchange, KLA leaders, including Pajazit Ahmeti and Afrim Myrtaj, ventured out. Ahmeti lost his life, and Myrtaj injuries. KLA fighters subsequently rescued Myrtaj and defended against Serbian forces until 4:00 p.m., when efforts were made to evacuate civilians. Despite being encircled, the KLA exhibited efforts to safeguard civilians, preventing Serbian attempts to harm them.
Within the midst of this battle, crucial discussions occurred among KLA leaders, including Salih Mustafa and his colleagues, strategizing on how to navigate the evolving situation on the battlefield.
Aftermath[edit]
Three days after the battle, Serbian forces launched a new offensive to take Marec from the KLA.
References[edit]
- ↑ ""Beteja e Zhegocit", aty ku u vranë fëmijë, pleq e gra, çka rrëfejnë dëshmitarët e gjallë?". Gazeta Online - Rajonipress.com (in shqip). 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ↑ "Shënohet Beteja e Zhegocit". Arbresh.info. 2017-04-15. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ↑ "Beteja e Zhegocit nga pikëpamja historike – Epoka e Re". Retrieved 2023-09-29.
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