On this day, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) ordered a general mobilization to counter the Serbian offensive and achieve the final liberation of Kosovo.
This was the mobilization order:
To better respond to recent developments, as a result of offensive actions by Serbian forces and to carry out combat duties more intensively for the liberation of Kosovo, in accordance with Order No. 151, dated 31.03.1999, “For the general mobilization to counter the Serbian offensive for the liberation of Kosovo,” the following directives were issued:
Order:
- A general mobilization was declared both within Kosovo and abroad for the entire population of Kosovo to reinforce the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). This mobilization began on April 1, 1999, and continued as an ongoing process.
- All men between the ages of 18 and 50 were required to report for enlistment in the KLA between April 1 and April 30, 1999.
- All military personnel were required to report to receive their assignments within the KLA structures between April 1 and April 25, 1999. Any new recruits joining the KLA were to be formally assigned roles by the KLA General Staff.
- The KLA General Staff and unit commanders were responsible for documenting and registering all individuals obligated to join the KLA ranks.
- New training centers were to be established to prepare troops before they were deployed to the front lines, with intensive training programs lasting 10 to 15 days.
- In cases where the legal obligation to enlist was not met, the Military Police were authorized to act both inside and outside Kosovo to ensure compliance with the decision of the KLA General Staff.
- The KLA General Staff, unit commanders, and the Military Police were tasked with implementing this order and ensuring its enforcement.
The KLA General Staff was responsible for overseeing the execution of this order.
This order came into immediate effect.
The General Staff of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
