Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has marked the 27th anniversary of the Battle of Koshare, one of the most significant confrontations of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) during the 1998-1999 conflict.
Through a Facebook post, Kurti paid tribute to the fallen fighters and participants of the battle, describing it as a historic effort to break the border between Kosovo and Albania and advance the liberation of the country.
“On the morning of April 9, 1999, UÇK soldiers launched an assault on Serbian military positions along the border area between the Republic of Albania and Yugoslavia, targeting the ‘7 Korriku’ base, Rrasa e Koshares, and Gllava Peak. From that day until June 10, thousands of UÇK members were engaged in continuous fighting over a mountainous and challenging terrain spanning several kilometers,” Kurti wrote.
He emphasized that the Battle of Koshare began just two weeks after NATO airstrikes on Yugoslavia and continued until the campaign concluded, highlighting the role of UÇK as an ally to NATO in halting ethnic cleansing and genocide by the Yugoslav and Serbian forces under Milosevic.
Kurti also remembered the human cost of the battle: 114 UÇK fighters were killed, over 400 were injured, and the Serbian forces suffered significant, though unreported, losses. He called the sacrifice of the UÇK fighters vital to Kosovo’s freedom and honored their courage and dedication.
“Every spring, we remember with gratitude and respect all UÇK fighters who courageously participated in the Battle of Koshare, shedding sweat, effort, and blood for our homeland and the freedom of our people. Eternal glory to the martyrs of the Battle of Koshare,” Kurti wrote.
