The Battle of Šušaja was a battle between police of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albanian militant group Liberation Army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac (UÇPMB) during the 2000-2001 insurgency in the Preševo Valley.[1]

Battle of Šušaja
Part of the Insurgency in the Preševo Valley
Date24–28 January 2001
Location
Result LAPMB victory
Territorial
changes
Albanian insurgents captures Šušaja
Belligerents
Liberation Army of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Commanders and leaders
Shaban Ukshini
Sami Ukshini
Bardhyl Osmani
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nebojša Pavković
Dragan Dimitrijević 
Units involved
113th Brigade "Ibrahim Fejzullahu" Yugoslav Army
SAJ Special Forces
Strength
20 insurgents (Yugoslav claim)[1] Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Unknown number of soldiers
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 7 Tanks[1]
Casualties and losses
1 killed 3 wounded[2] Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1 killed[2]
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 3 killed (LAPMB claim)[3]
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 4 wounded[2]
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1 Tank hit[1]

Battle

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On January 6, 2001, a faction of LAPMB insurgents took control of Gornja Šušaja.[4] They were well received by the local Albanian population, and some residents even joined their ranks.[4] On January 19, another group of LAPMB insurgents from Gornja Šušaja, led by Bardhyl Osmani, conducted a raid on Yugoslav army positions near Crnotince.[4][5] The following day, January 20, 2001, a sizable Yugoslav Army, comprising tanks, armored vehicles, and special forces, surrounded Gornja Šušaja, preparing to launch an attack on the LAPMB stronghold. On January 24, Yugoslav forces initiated an assault on the village from three directions. The battle persisted for four days until Yugoslav forces eventually were forced to withdraw.[4][5]

Throughout the battle, three LAPMB insurgents were wounded, whereas four Yugoslav soldiers were wounded, one of whom later died due to his injuries.[4][2][3][6][7][8] The LAPMB claimed to have killed three Yugoslav soldiers during the engagement.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Kämpfe und Kriegsstimmung in Südserbien". Neue Zürcher Zeitung. 29 January 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Newsline - January 29, 2001". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  3. ^ a b c "Balkan Report: February 9, 2001". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Në kujtim të 20 vjetorit të njërës nga betejat e luftës së Preshevës – Epoka e Re". Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  5. ^ a b +Presheva.AL (2021-01-25). "Në njëzet vjetorin e Betejës së Shoshajës 24-28 janar të vitit 2001". PRESHEVA.AL. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  6. ^ Ivanji, Andrej (2001-01-30). "Eskalation in Südserbien". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). p. 10. ISSN 0931-9085. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  7. ^ Europe and the Mediterranean cdn.un.org
  8. ^ Toledo Blade. Toledo Blade.