Balli Kombëtar
World War II Albanian paramilitary organization / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Balli Kombëtar (literally National Front) was an Albanian nationalist,[2][3][4][7] collaborationist,[2][8] and anti-communist resistance movement during the Second World War.[9][10][11][12] It was led by Ali Këlcyra and by Midhat Frashëri.[13] The movement was formed by members from the landowning elite, liberal nationalists opposed to communism, and other sectors of society in Albania.[14][15][16]
Balli Kombëtar | |
---|---|
Leader | |
Dates of operation | 1942–1945 |
Dissolved | 1945 |
Active regions | Albania |
Ideology | Albanian nationalism Fascism[1][2][3][4] Anti-communism Anti-Greek sentiment Anti-Serb sentiment Republicanism Conservatism Agrarian socialism Big tent[5] |
Size | 35,000–50,000[6] |
Part of | Italian protectorate of Albania (1939–1943) |
Allies | Albanian Partisans (1942–1943) Germany (1944) |
Opponents | Italy (1942–1943) Albanian Partisans (1943–1945) Yugoslav Partisans EDES/EAM Chetniks |
Battles and wars |
|
The motto of the Balli Kombëtar was: Shqipëria Shqiptarëve, Vdekje Tradhëtarëve (Albania to the Albanians, Death to the Traitors).[17] Eventually, the Balli Kombëtar joined the Nazi Germany-established puppet government as part of the German occupation of Albania and fought as an ally against communist guerrilla groups.[18][19] The Balli Kombëtar engaged in significant acts of terror culminating in atrocities committed against Serb and Greek civilians.[20][21][page needed][22][better source needed][23]