Battle of Llapashtica

Battle of Llapashtica
	Part of the Kosovo War
Date	24–28 December 1998
Location	Llapashtica, Glamnik, Obranca, Burince, Podujevo municipality, modern-day Kosovo
Result	KLA Victory Serb offensive repelled.;
Belligerents
Kosovo Liberation Army	Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Commanders and leaders
Rrustem Mustafa	Unknown
Strength
Unknown	Over 100 tanks and armoured vehicles and large amounts of troops
Casualties and losses
10 killed	Unknown; significant vehicle damage
	30 Albanian civilians killed; 5,000 displaced,hundreds died due to freezing temperatures
	KLA forces inflicted heavy damage on Serbian armoured units; significant displacement of Albanian civilians.

The Battle of Llapashtica was a key conflict in the Kosovo War between the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Serbian forces. Serbian troops launched an offensive on the KLA base in Llapashtica, breaking a 2 month ceasefire.^[1] Despite being outnumbered, the KLA used anti-tank weapons to inflict heavy damage on Serbian forces. The battle led to the displacement of over 5 thousand Albanian civilians ^[2]and civilian casualties. The international community condemned Serbia's actions, with NATO warning of possible intervention.

Background

The Battle of Llapashtica occurred during a period of ceasefire in the Kosovo War, which had been in place before the battle with sporadic fighting breaking out occasionally. The ceasefire was broken when Serbian forces launched an offensive on the KLA stronhold in and around Llapashtica, located in the Podujevo municipality This offensive was said to be in retaliation for the assassination of a Serbian state security official by the KLA, although international diplomats dismissed the justification, arguing that such a response was disproportionate.^[7] The Serbian attack involved a large force, including over 100 tanks and armored vehicles. This area was crucial for the Serbian military as they had a military airbase nearby^[8] and it was close to the Kosovo-Serbia border.

Battle

The battle began when Serbian forces launched their offensive in and around the village of Llapashtica, a key KLA stronghold, and spread to surrounding villages, including Glamnik, Obranca, and Burince. The KLA, despite being outnumbered, inflicted heavy damage on Serbian armoured units using anti-tank weapons. Serbian forces, which included a significant number of tanks and armoured vehicles, were forced to retreat after the KLA stood their ground and repelled the offensive. The fighting led to the death of 17 KLA fighters, and significant damage was done to Serbian vehicles. Albanian civilians were also caught in the crossfire, with 30 civilians killed and an estimated 5,000 displaced, many of whom fled in sub-zero temperatures. ^[9]

During the battle, the Llapashtica mosque was bombed by Serbian forces, causing severe damage. The area also housed a detention centre for Albanian collaborators and captured Serbs, which further heightened the tension during the battle. ^[10]

Aftermath

After the battle, Serbian forces continued to attack KLA-held positions in the area, including further bombardments of Llapashtica and its surrounding villages. The KLA's successful defense of their stronghold in Llapashtica marked a significant victory, but it also intensified the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians were displaced and forced to seek refuge in harsh conditions, with many facing freezing temperatures. The destruction of homes, infrastructure, and the mosque added to the suffering. ^[11]

The KLA gained momentum after their victory, solidifying their control in the region. Despite the victory, the conflict was far from over, as tensions between the KLA and Serbian forces continued to rise in the area long after.From February 7-14 frequent shelling and clashes were reported in Llapashtica.^[12]

International Reactions

The international community strongly condemned the actions of the Serbian forces. NATO warned Serbia of possible intervention for breaking the ceasefire, while the United States demanded that Serbia grant Kosovo maximum autonomy. International diplomats expressed concerns about the disproportionate use of force and the violation of human rights. The bombing of civilian infrastructure, including the mosque and the displacement of civilians, drew widespread condemnation. Despite warnings from NATO and the international community, Serbia brushed off the threat of military intervention, and the conflict continued to escalate. ^[13]

References

^ "Attack by Serbs Shatters a Two-Month Cease-Fire in Kosovo".
^ Europe, Council of (3 December 1999). Parliamentary Assembly Documents 1999 session (First part, January 1999) Volume II. Council of Europe. ISBN 978-92-871-3960-3.
^ https://albanica.al/revista_kosova/article/view/3702/3747 pg 175
^ "Transition". 1999.
^ "20 years since the battle of Llapashtica". 24 December 2018.
^ Situation in Kosovo: Hearing Before the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, April 21, 1999. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1998. ISBN 978-0-16-059303-1.
^ "Attack by Serbs Shatters a Two-Month Cease-Fire in Kosovo".
^ Kosovo/Kosova as Seen, as Told: An Analysis of the Human Rights Findings of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission October 1998 to June 1999. OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 1999. ISBN 978-83-912750-0-9.
^ "N. Kosovo refugees flee fighting Staying warm is main goal as they crowd into village". 27 December 1998.
^ Ciulla, Giuseppe; Romano, Vittorio (2010). Lupi nella nebbia: Kosovo : l'ONU ostaggio di mafie e USA. Jaca Book. ISBN 978-88-16-40962-0.
^ Bajgora, Sabri (2014). Destruction of Islamic Heritage in the Kosovo War, 1998-1999. Interfaith Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo. ISBN 978-9951-595-02-5.
^ Weller, Marc (1999). The Crisis in Kosovo 1989-1999. Documents and Analysis Publ. ISBN 978-1-903033-00-5.
^ "Rebels shelled as US warns NATO may strike Serbs". The Irish Times.

[1] "Attack by Serbs Shatters a Two-Month Cease-Fire in Kosovo".

[2] Europe, Council of (3 December 1999). Parliamentary Assembly Documents 1999 session (First part, January 1999) Volume II. Council of Europe. ISBN 978-92-871-3960-3.

[3] ttps://albanica.al/revista_kosova/article/view/3702/3747 pg 175

[4] "Transition". 1999.

[5] "20 years since the battle of Llapashtica". 24 December 2018.

[6] Situation in Kosovo: Hearing Before the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, April 21, 1999. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1998. ISBN 978-0-16-059303-1.

[7] "Attack by Serbs Shatters a Two-Month Cease-Fire in Kosovo".

[8] Kosovo/Kosova as Seen, as Told: An Analysis of the Human Rights Findings of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission October 1998 to June 1999. OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 1999. ISBN 978-83-912750-0-9.

[9] "N. Kosovo refugees flee fighting Staying warm is main goal as they crowd into village". 27 December 1998.

[10] Ciulla, Giuseppe; Romano, Vittorio (2010). Lupi nella nebbia: Kosovo : l'ONU ostaggio di mafie e USA. Jaca Book. ISBN 978-88-16-40962-0.

[11] Bajgora, Sabri (2014). Destruction of Islamic Heritage in the Kosovo War, 1998-1999. Interfaith Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo. ISBN 978-9951-595-02-5.

[12] Weller, Marc (1999). The Crisis in Kosovo 1989-1999. Documents and Analysis Publ. ISBN 978-1-903033-00-5.

[13] "Rebels shelled as US warns NATO may strike Serbs". The Irish Times.

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