A decade has passed since thousands gathered in Prishtina to bid a final farewell to eight of the nine Kosovo Albanians killed in the 2015 Kumanovo clashes in North Macedonia.
A National Farewell to the Fallen
On that day, citizens from across Kosovo and other Albanian-inhabited regions united to honor the deceased. After an emotional memorial academy and tribute ceremony, the bodies were laid to rest at the Martyrs’ Cemetery Complex in Prishtina.
The fallen—Xhafer Zymberi, Mirsad Ndrecaj, Valon Kabashi, Turgaj Gashi, Samid Kastrioti, Hysen Rushiti, Fatlum Vishesella, and Arben Rexhaj—were escorted by young men dressed in Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) uniforms, paying homage to their perceived legacy.
Remembered as Martyrs
The Organizing Council, composed of war veterans’ associations, families, and prominent figures, honored those killed during the May 9–10, 2015, Kumanovo conflict with Macedonian police as martyrs of the nation.
Despite the emotional magnitude of the event, top-level state institutions were notably absent, with only a few MPs from Vetëvendosje and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo attending the funeral and tribute ceremonies.
Ceremony of Honor and Memory
The funeral took place at 17:00 in front of thousands of citizens from across the country.
Earlier, at the “1 Tetori” sports hall, a one-hour homage and memorial academy was held, where coffins were draped in national flags.
Veterans of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) stood guard by the coffins, wearing original military uniforms and holding portraits of the deceased, many of whom were depicted as KLA soldiers.
In reality, several had served in various Albanian military formations, including:
- the KLA,
- the UÇPMB in Serbia’s Presevo Valley, and
- the National Liberation Army (NLA) in North Macedonia during the 2001 conflict.
Legacy and Controversy
This anniversary rekindles public memory of a divisive and painful episode in regional history, raising questions of justice, political responsibility, and national remembrance.
While the ceremony honored their perceived heroism, the lack of institutional recognition remains a subject of criticism, especially among their families and veteran circles.
