Karadak Front (2001)
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The Karadak Front was a series of battles fought between the NLA and the Macedonian government forces in the Karadak region during the War in Macedonia. The region, alongside Tetovo, became the most heavily fought area in Macedonia. It also became the site of the first major battle fought between the NLA and the Macedonian Police, marking a turning point in the conflict, transforming the skirmishes into full-scale warfare.
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| Karadak Front | |||||||||
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| Part of 2001 insurgency in Macedonia | |||||||||
Karadak Front during the War in Macedonia | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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National Liberation Army Mujahedeen[1] |
Macedonia NATO Supported by: Ukraine | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Ali Ahmeti Xhezair Shaqiri Harun Aliu Hajrulla Misini Fadil Nimani † Jakup Asipi Beqir Sadiku † Lefter Bicaj † Sebedim Selimi Ferit Selimi[2] Bekir Halimi |
Boris Trajkovski Ljubčo Georgievski Pande Petrovski  Ljube BoškoskiSiniša Stoilov † Maj. Jim Marshal Gen. Kenneth J. Quinlan | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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| Strength | |||||||||
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Around 1,000 militants 150 Mujahideen[4] |
Around 20,000-25,000 soldiers[5] 30 T-54/55 tanks 200 armored vehicles 2 Mil Mi-24 helicopters 4 Mil Mi-17 helicopters 300 soldiers[6] 5 Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs)[7] 2 M113 armored vehicles 9 Humvees [7] 2 AH-64 Apache helicopters[7] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 57 NLA militants killed |
Macedonian Claims: 38 killed[8] 1 T-55 tank destroyed Around 20 armored vehicles destroyed[9] | ||||||||
War
Summarize
Perspective
Start of the War
On February 26, 2001, around 200 fighters from the NLA entered the Karadak region of Macedonia. The clashes had started around Tanuševci and Debelldeh, after Belgrade handed over Tanuševci to Macedonia in a bilateral agreement.[10] The fighting lasted 14 hours and ended with the NLA taking control of Tanuševci. This battle was the first major conflict and also marked the beginning of the war in Macedonia.[11][12][13]
NATO's Intervention in Tanuševci on Behalf of Macedonia and the NLA's Counteroffensive in Brest
On March 8, 2001, on behalf of Macedonia, after the NLA had already destroyed Tanuševci twice, KFOR entered the battle against the NLA and began a military operation to regain control of Tanuševci, which had previously been infiltrated by NLA militants. The operation was successful, and the KFOR forces led by NATO continued to occupy the village.[14]
The NLA's counteroffensive began on March 10, 2001, near the village of Brest.[15][16][17] Albanian militants ambushed a Macedonian convoy after being forced to retreat by KFOR troops in the village of Tanuševci.[15][16][17] A convoy of Macedonian police was sent to establish a presence near the border with Kosovo and to prevent the war from spreading to the area, but it found itself trapped in a NLA ambush.[18] Following this, a one-hour battle broke out with heavy artillery and mortar fire, after which most of the Macedonian column withdrew from the region.[17][18] After the battle, the NLA took control of Brest and Malino, and the war spread to larger parts of the country.[18]
Operation MH-1
Operation MH-1 was a Macedonian government offensive and military operation strategically planned to remove NLA militants from the Karadak region along the Macedonian border. Macedonian security forces launched an attack in two directions near the Kosovo border, using tanks, APCs, and helicopters.[10][19]
However, during the offensive, the Macedonian army was humiliated by the NLA. Macedonian infantry units showed extreme reluctance to engage in open combat with the rebels. Despite the Macedonian Army officially declaring victory, the NLA claimed they were simply regrouping around Gračani, preparing for an imminent counteroffensive.[10][20][21]
During the offensive, Macedonian forces managed to capture Gračani, but their attempt to seize Brest ended in a disastrous failure. On March 31, around 30 NLA militants attempted to cross the border to retake Gračani, but they were stopped by NATO forces who arrested and detained them.[22] The very next day, the NLA launched a counterattack against the Macedonian forces, retaking Gračani and capturing Blace.[10][20][21][23]
Beginning of the War in the Karadak Region of Kumanovo
In early May 2001, a group of NLA fighters infiltrated Macedonia and established bases in several villages to the north of Kumanovo.[24][10] This armed group of NLA fighters, known as Brigade 114 of the NLA, was led by the Kosovo Albanian Fadil Nimani and Brigade 113, called “Ismet Jashari,” led by Xhezair Shaqiri.[25]
On May 3, Brigade 114 of the NLA launched an operation against Macedonian security forces in Vaksince, near Kumanovo, killing two Macedonian soldiers and capturing a third as a prisoner of war.[26] The Albanian fighters then took control of the area surrounding Vaksince, declaring it as their "liberated zone".[27]
On the same day, the Macedonian security council decided to launch an offensive against the NLA to expel them from their strongholds in the villages north of Kumanovo.[28][29][30] The offensive began with shelling of selected targets in Vaksince by military helicopters and field artillery and then continued with a large ground force supported by T-55 tanks and hundreds of armored personnel carriers.[31] Despite the larger numbers of the Macedonians, they were forced to withdraw after the NLA dealt them a crushing defeat, including shooting down an Mi-24 attack helicopter.[32][9] During the offensive, the NLA managed to destroy a Macedonian army column in Vaksince, killing five soldiers and taking another prisoner.[33]
In the following days, Macedonian security forces (fearing getting involved in open fighting) bombarded NLA positions in the villages of Slupčane, Orizare, and Hotël.[34]
Operation MH-2
On May 8, the Macedonians launched a heavy attack against the NLA, initiating the first major battle in the Karadak region of Kumanovo during the War in Macedonia.[35][36][37]
The Macedonian forces began to clear the fields at 8:00 AM and then attacked the villages of Slupčane, Ljubodrag, Vaksince, Lopate, and Orizare with a mechanized battalion supported by artillery and air force.[36][38] Around 14:00, the operation was halted by order of Boris Trajkovski, and the Macedonian army was forced to withdraw after suffering heavy defeats and being unable to recapture any villages.[36][37][38] Approximately 16 NLA militants were killed according to NLA. Although the Macedonian casualties are still unknown, it is speculated that around 20-30 Macedonian soldiers and police were killed in the operation.
Vaksince Operation
On May 24, 2001, Macedonian security forces launched an offensive against the NLA in Vaksince.[39] The fighting turned into urban warfare, with police and army infantry engaged in house-to-house combat in the villages of Vaksince and Lojane, which were NLA strongholds.[40] The NLA resisted fiercely but eventually withdrew to the hills surrounding Vaksince.[40][41] Macedonian security forces retook Vaksince after the NLA’s withdrawal.[42]
During the conflict, Fadil Nimani, the NLA commander in Vaksince, was killed, and one Macedonian soldier was injured.[43]
However, the NLA launched a counteroffensive and regained control of Vaksince within three days after it had been retaken by the Macedonian army.[44][45] The NLA’s retaking of Vaksince was confirmed by Hysamedin Halili, the mayor of Likovë, on June 7.[46]
Georgi Trendafilov, a Macedonian official, denied that the army had been defeated and claimed that they withdrew only to reorganize in the area. However, on June 6, the Macedonian army shelled Vaksince, burning down a house, which proved they no longer controlled the area, and that Vaksince and Lojane were fully under NLA control.[45][47]
Battle of Slupčane
Between May and July 2001, there were significant clashes and military operations in Sllupçan. On May 3, 2001, the NLA defeated the Macedonian army in a short battle and captured Slupčane.[48][49][50][29] The Macedonian army began several offensives to dislodge NLA positions, resulting in intense fighting and shelling.[29][50][51][38]
However, the NLA managed to maintain control over Slupčane. The situation remained intense, with attacks, ambushes, and captures from both sides. Eventually, on June 11, the Macedonian army was ordered to halt all military operations in the area after suffering heavy casualties, leading to a temporary ceasefire.[52] However, the conflict continued, with NLA fighters defeating Macedonian units near Slupčane, launching attacks, and capturing two Macedonian soldiers in July.[53][54] The fighting resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Zymberi Family Massacre
The Zymberi family massacre gained significant attention in the British press, especially in an article by journalist Justin Huggler.[55] It highlighted the tragic death of Valbona Zymberi and the horrific conditions she endured in a dark basement. The article emphasized that the children were torn apart when a rocket hit the basement, resulting in numerous deaths within the extended Zymberi family.[55] The Independent, in an editorial, urged the West not to ignore the violence in Macedonia and stressed the importance of treating Albanians as equals, given their significant presence in the country.[55] The article also mentioned evidence of human rights violations by the Macedonian police, including the beating of men leaving the villages. These revelations shed light on the demographic composition of Macedonia and raised concerns about human rights violations.[55][56][57]
Battles in Orizare
From May 8, 2001, to June 11, 2001, there were confrontations in Orizare as well. Macedonian forces attempted to take control of the village as part of Operation MH-2, but their efforts ended in failure.[36] The village endured repeated bombings until June 9, 2001.[37] The most intense fighting erupted on June 10, resulting in a significant victory for the NLA (National Liberation Army), as they forced the Macedonian forces to retreat from the village.[58][52]
Battles in Matejče
On May 24, 2001, as a result of fierce fighting between the NLA fighters and Macedonian forces in the nearby villages of Vaksince and Slupčane, 144 NLA militants entered Matejče and attacked the local police station.[59] On May 26, Macedonian forces launched a major assault on NLA positions. The Macedonians managed to recapture most of Matejče and push the NLA to the outskirts of the village.[60][61] The following day, after the Macedonian advance, on May 27, NLA launched a counteroffensive, engaging the Macedonian forces with heavy mortar and sniper fire, eventually capturing part of the village and surrounding the local police station.[62][63][64] On the same day, a column of Macedonian troops with around 20 APCs, three T-55 tanks, and a bus full of police was sent to the village.[63] Later that day, the Macedonian Army also used Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunships, artillery, and tanks to target suspected NLA militant positions in Matejče.[62] Fighting resumed the next day, with the NLA firing five 120mm mortar rounds.[65] During the fighting on May 30, a Macedonian truck hit a mine planted by NLA militants, killing one soldier and wounding two others.[66] From June 1 to 3, Macedonian forces again bombarded Matejče and attempted to regain control of the area.[67][68][69] The Macedonian Army used its entire military arsenal, including helicopters.[70] But on June 5, the NLA captured the entire village, and Macedonian forces were forced to withdraw from Matejče.[71][64][72][10] On June 6, the NLA confirmed it had regained full control of Matejče and Vaksince, declaring that it had liberated the entire Karadak region of Kumanovo.[45][73]
The Crisis of the Lipkovo Dam
The fighting in Lipkovo began on March 28, 2001, with loud explosions heard from the village.[74] The conflict primarily revolved around the strategically important lake in the area. On May 3, 2001, the NLA infiltrated Lipkovo and other villages, provoking a Macedonian attack that was later halted due to limited success.[75] Another large-scale operation took place on May 8, targeting Lipkovo, but Macedonian forces again halted their offensive after suffering significant casualties.[36][38] Unlike other villages, Lipkovo remained relatively calm from May 8 to June 9, 2001.[76] However, intense fighting escalated when the NLA attacked and defeated the Macedonian forces defending the Lipkovo dam, resulting in NLA taking control of this strategic point.[77][78] At that time, the Likova lake supplied water to over 100,000 inhabitants of Kumanovo.[77] Macedonian forces launched an operation to retake the dam, but were forced to halt operations after suffering significant losses and defeats.[79][10] Furthermore, NLA captured Aračinovo and threatened to bomb the capital, leading to the abandonment of Macedonian plans in the Karadak region of Kumanovo.[52]
Battle of Aračinovo
On June 12, 2001, after a small battle with Macedonian forces, the 113th Brigade "Ismet Jashari," consisting of 350 NLA militants, took control of Aračinovo, located just eight kilometers from the capital, Skopje.[80] The commander of the NLA forces in Aračinovo, Xhezair Shaqiri, warned that if the army does not stop its attacks on NLA positions in the north of the country, the insurgents will target strategic positions in Skopje, including the airport, oil refineries, police stations in cities, and other government installations.[80][81]
After this incident, Jovan Andrevski, the highest general of the Macedonian Army, resigned.[82][83] In an interview, he stated that the Albanian militants of NLA had overwhelmed Macedonian forces, and he could no longer tolerate the military setbacks.[82][83] He further reported that the morale of his troops was at a historic low following the losses and heavy casualties caused by NLA.[82][83]
On June 21, 2001, Macedonian forces launched a massive operation against NLA in Aračinovo, utilizing heavy firepower, including 20,000 soldiers, 54 tanks, 130 mortars, artillery support, and 4 Mi-24 helicopters.[84][85] The battle lasted three days, with Macedonian forces failing to capture even small parts of the village.[86] The fierce resistance of the NLA resulted in casualties on both sides.[87] Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, security forces continued their assault. However, on the fourth day, President Trajkovski suddenly ordered the cessation of all operations.[85]
After three days of intense fighting in Aračinovo, Macedonian forces suffered a complete defeat at the hands of NLA units operating in the city.[10] Despite their initial claims of success, their rushed attempt to recapture Aračinovo turned out to be a complete disaster.[10] In response to the dire situation, Boris Trajkovski, the Macedonian leader, appealed to NATO for a ceasefire and sought help in escorting NLA fighters out of the city to the nearby village of Nikushtak.[10][88] NATO intervened and brokered a ceasefire between Ali Ahmeti and Boris Trajkovski. This agreement paved the way for the NLA's withdrawal from Aračinovo.[10] In response, Macedonian forces immediately halted all operations around Haraçina.[10][89] A few days later, after the NLA withdrew, Macedonian troops entered Aračinovo under the supervision of the OSCE.[86]
Death of Lefter Bicaj
Lefter Bicaj, known as Commander Teli, was killed with treachery on August 7 in Gazibaba, Skopje, by Macedonian special forces while sleeping at the house of Muzafer Halili along with 5 of his comrades.[90] Around 300 Macedonian forces surrounded the house where Teli was staying and at around 4 a.m. they opened fire without any warning.[91] The Macedonians considered the killing of Teli as their greatest success.[92][93][94]
On August 8 and 10, 2001, the National Liberation Army (NLA) carried out two successful attacks against Macedonian forces in retaliation for the killing of Lefter Bicaj and his group.[95][96][97]
The first operation by the National Liberation Army (NLA) for revenge against Commander Teli occurred on August 8 2001 in the village of Karpalak, Macedonia, which resulted in the killing of 10 Macedonian soldiers from the Macedonian Army.[98][99] They were shot at when their truck caught fire from a barrage of bullets and mortars on the main highway between Skopje and Tetovo. The bodies, including two officers, were on their way to reinforce a military base in Tetovo.[100] It was one of the most successful operations carried out by the National Liberation Army.[100]
The second operation of the National Liberation Army took place on August 10, 2001, in the village of Ljuboten in Karadak near Skopje, where Macedonian troops were attacked by the NLA.[101][102] Macedonian trucks drove over mines placed by the NLA near the village of Ljuboten.[102] Immediately after this, fighting broke out between the NLA and the Macedonian army, resulting in the death of eight Macedonian soldiers and one NLA fighter.[103][104] The NLA fighters achieved a victory, causing the withdrawal of Macedonian troops.[102][103][104] However, two days later, Macedonian forces surrounded Ljuboten and carried out a massacre, leading to the tragic deaths of ten Albanian civilians.[105]
Ljuboten Massacre
Two days after the Macedonian defeat, Macedonian forces surrounded Ljuboten and killed ten Albanian civilians.[105] The Macedonian army surrounded Ljuboten and shelled the village with helicopters and heavy artillery, during the shelling 2 Albanian civilians were killed, an elderly man and a 6-year-old girl.[106] After the shelling, Macedonian reservists entered the village and began to kill six people, shooting them in the head or back, including a 6-year-old boy.[106][107][108] Later, a man was stabbed to death in front of his paralyzed father.[106] The remains of a 35-year-old man were found near the village, by his relatives, 6 days after the massacre.[106] After an investigation by Human Rights Watch, it was concluded that no member of the NLA was present in the village during the incident.[105][106]
Fighting in Nikuštak
In June 2001, after the events in Haraçina, the situation escalated in Nikuštak when the NLA launched attacks on Macedonian army positions in Umin Dol on June 27, 2001, taking advantage of the cover created by a field they had set on fire.[109][110][111][112][113] Macedonian security forces responded by using all available weapons, including artillery and tanks, in their efforts to fight the NLA in Nikushtak.[113] Despite their efforts, the Macedonian offensive was ultimately halted on July 4, 2001, as they failed to regain control of Nikuštak and lost several soldiers.[114]
List of Battles
Summarize
Perspective
NLA Victory
Macedonian Victory
KFOR Victory
Ceasefire
| Name | Units | Municipality | Date | Battle Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Tanuševci | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Čučer | February 26, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Ambush near Tanuševci | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Čučer | March 4, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Tanuševci operation | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Čučer | March 8, 2001 | Macedonian–KFOR Victory |
| Brest attack | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Čučer | March 10, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Battle of Gračani | Brigada 111 "Karadak"
Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" |
Gjorče Petrov, Čučer | February 26–28, 2001 | Macedonian Victory |
| First Battle of Vaksince | Brigada 114 "Fadil Nimani" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 3, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Battle of Slupčane | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 3–June 11, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Operation MH-2 | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari"
Brigada 114 "Fadil Nimani" |
Lipkovo Municipality | May 8, 2001 | Offensive halted |
| Second Battle of Vaksince | Brigada 114 "Fadil Nimani" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 24–June 6, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Battle of Lojane | Brigada 114 "Fadil Nimani" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 24–26, 2001 | Macedonian Victory |
| Battle of Matejče | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 24–June 5, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Lipkovo crisis | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Lipkovo Municipality | March 28–June 18, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Battle of Orizare | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Lipkovo Municipality | May 3–June 11, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| Battle of Aračinovo | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Aračinovo | June 12–25, 2001 | Ceasefire mediated by NATO |
| Battle of Nikuštak | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Lipkovo Municipality | June 27–July 4, 2001 | NLA Victory |
| 2001 Skopje police raid | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Čair | August 7, 2001 | Macedonian Victory |
| Ljuboten incident | Brigada 113 "Ismet Jashari" | Butel | August 10, 2001 | NLA victory |
Clashes in Karadak after 2001
Summarize
Perspective
| Karadak Crisis | |||||||
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| Part of Aftermath of the 2001 insurgency in Macedonia | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Veterans of the NLA Albanian National Army |
North Macedonia NATO | ||||||
Border Crisis of 2001 in Debelldeh and Mjak
In the villages of Debelldeh and Mjak in the Karadak region of Kosovo, tensions escalated as the residents, who had taken up arms, claimed they were defending 2500 hectares of land, preparing to confront the KFOR troops monitoring the Kosovo-North Macedonia border.[115] American troops frequently descended into this area to maintain peace between the two neighboring countries.[115]
Residents near the Kosovo-North Macedonia border, particularly in Mjak and Debelldeh, shared a long history which was marred by the burning of houses during the 1999 war, leading to the abandonment of the area.[115] Nefail and Arif Metallari displayed the Kosovo national flag to assert their claims over the territory, despite discontent regarding the donation of 2500 hectares by Serbia to Macedonia.[115] The residents expressed resistance to proposed changes to the territory of Kosovo.[115]
The focus of the narrative shifted to armed individuals who were not part of the National Albanian Army (AKSH).[115] They emphasized that their goal was solely to defend the land.[115] Masked, armed, and determined individuals warned that if the joint commission decided to give land to North Macedonia, both governments would face their resistance.[115] They denied any connection with existing armed Albanian groups and claimed to operate wherever the Macedonian government extended near the border.[115]
The tense situation unfolded against the backdrop of local support for the armed group and the challenge that KFOR faced in restraining or isolating them.[115] The armed individuals stated that they were determined to mobilize not only the residents of Debelldeh and Mjak, but also all Albanian lands if the governments decided to take up arms against them.[115] The narrative concludes with a strong call to the governments of Kosovo and North Macedonia not to push them to the point of armed conflict, warning that such a scenario would be inevitable if their demands were not met.[115]
Fighting in 2003
Backstage
After the 2001 war, a series of manipulations and assassinations unfolded targeting former fighters of the NLA.[116] The first incident involved the killing of Haxhi Baba, executed in the center of Skopje simply because he was a member of the NLA.[116] This model continued with the bombing of the court in Struga, orchestrated by the government with the help of paid Albanian agents, falsely accusing two innocent youths.[116] Despite reports from international monitors, The European Union took no action.[116] The terror continued with the public execution of Nexhmedin Demiri, a former member of the NLA, with no response from the international community. The rape of a pregnant Albanian woman in the village of Sopot was also ignored. The perpetrators of these acts were the Serbian and Slavomacedonian intelligence services, along with Ali Ahmeti.[116] This led to the conclusion that Macedonians only understood the language of force, so the AKSH attacked North Macedonia in 2003, starting another conflict.[116]
Sopot case
On March 4, 2003, an explosion near the village of Sopot resulted in the deaths of two Polish NATO soldiers and one civilian, with three other civilians injured.[117] The incident was then portrayed as a manipulated event orchestrated by the Macedonian authorities, falsely implicating 12 Albanian civilians from Sopot, claiming their link to the NAA.[117] The perceived injustice and mistreatment of Albanian civilians in Sopot by Slavomacedonians contributed significantly to the underlying tensions that played a role in the later AKSH attacks.[117]
Conflict
The conflict in Karadak began on June 22, 2003, when the AKSH detonated several military positions in Skopje, injuring a Macedonian soldier.[118] Before the attack, Avdil Jakupi, known as "Çakalla," and Hamdi Bajrami, known as "Breza," formed a group of about 25 soldiers.[119][120] On August 26, 2003, Jakupi and Bajrami set off from the village Llukare to attack the military base in Goshinca, during the attack, they managed to kill several Macedonian police officers and capture two others.
References
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