Today marks 27 years since the heroic death of Bekim Berisha – “Abeja”, one of the most prominent figures of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), who gave his life in the Battle of Junik on August 10, 1998.
Born on June 15, 1966, in Graboc, Peja, Berisha displayed a warrior’s spirit from an early age. During the wars in Croatia and Bosnia, he joined volunteer forces fighting against the Serbian regime, earning the rank of General from the Croatian Army for his bravery.
In early 1998, Abeja returned to Kosovo and joined the KLA, making an extraordinary contribution in Açarevë, where he established the Military Academy. He later moved to Gllogjan, fighting alongside Ramush Haradinaj and many other fallen heroes.
On August 10, 1998, Berisha fell in battle alongside fellow fighters Bedri Shala, Elton Zherka, Përmet Vula, and Bashkim Leka — forever entering the glorious history of Kosovo’s liberation struggle.
One of his most famous wartime quotes was:
“Serbs don’t want diplomacy, only war,”
emphasizing that relations with Serbia could not be built through dialogue but through determination:
“Fire for fire.”
After the war, Berisha was posthumously promoted to Major General by the Kosovo Protection Corps (TMK). Today, his name stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice for freedom.
