The Battle of Koshare is the most glorious battle in Kosovo’s modern history, and without this war, the history of our country would have been different.
This was stated at the central event “Days of the Eagle 2026”, held in Koshare on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Battle of Koshare, where 114 fighters were martyred and 380 others were wounded, KosovaPress reports.
In addition to the ceremony in Koshare at the memorial complex, state leaders, political party leaders, many citizens, and families of the fallen who died in this battle also paid tribute. The battle began on April 9, 1999, and ended on June 10, 1999.
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that the Kosovo Liberation Army’s war was just and that the Battle of Koshare is among the most glorious battles of our modern history.
She stated that 27 years ago, KLA units moved toward the border line, breaking the border that had been unjustly established a century earlier between Kosovo and Albania.
She added that Agim Ramadani was on the front line when the border was broken.
“In those mountainous terrains, the fighting did not stop despite the intensity of the attacks. KLA soldiers did not surrender, they kept the border open and did not retreat at any cost. The fighting continued until June, when entire brigades, special units, operational groups, and fighters from all parts of Kosovo, from all Albanian territories, and from our diaspora joined in. Foreign volunteers also joined the Battle of Koshare, some of whom fell alongside our fighters. This shows that our war for freedom was just, and it received such wide support that it echoed across the democratic world. In the Battle of Koshare, 114 KLA fighters were killed and more than 380 were wounded. These fighters who headed toward Koshare that spring knew exactly where they were going and knew the return was not guaranteed, but they entered for freedom and fell for freedom, and they brought freedom. The Battle of Koshare is among the most glorious battles of our modern history. The state of Kosovo is built on this courage, on decisions made in extremely dangerous conditions, and on the sacrifice of entire generations. Honoring the heroes and fighters of Brigade 138 ‘Agim Ramadani’ within the ‘Days of the Eagle’ event shows our commitment to work with dedication so that Kosovo becomes what they dreamed of,” she said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla said that the Battle of Koshare is among those moments without which history would have unfolded differently.
She said that in Koshare, the dividing stone between Kosovo and Albania was removed, and a regime that believed it could permanently keep Kosovo under its occupation was struck.
“To recall one of those moments without which our history would have developed differently, because in Koshare there was not only a battle. In Koshare, that stone of division that had been imposed on us for decades was removed once and for all. In an unequal war against a heavily armed army, a regime was struck that believed it could keep Kosovo occupied, subdued, and without an exit. It was proven that the freedom of this country would not remain hostage to any unjust border or any occupier, no matter how militarily strong. In Koshare, there was no room for illusions; they entered the fire knowing they might not return, knowing that freedom was not approaching as a promise but as confrontation. The Battle of Koshare holds a special place in the historical and state memory of our Republic… Koshare is part of the political and moral foundation of the Republic of Kosovo. It reminds us of a truth that must never fade: our state is not a product of chance, not a product of comfort, and not a product of compromise with injustice,” Gërvalla said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla said that the Battle of Koshare is among those moments without which history would have unfolded differently.
She said that in Koshare, the dividing stone between Kosovo and Albania was removed, and a regime that believed it could permanently keep Kosovo under its occupation was struck.
AAK leader and former commander of the Dukagjini Zone Ramush Haradinaj said that without the Battle of Koshare, the Kumanovo Agreement would not have been what it was.
Former Brigade 138 commander Rrustem Berisha said that the removal of the Albanian-Albanian border was not a coincidence but the result of tireless preparation and the courage of the fighters.
He also criticized institutions for failing to implement the project for the memorial complex in Koshare.
The confrontation with Serbian forces, which began on April 9, 1999, as part of Operation “Arrow”, is one of the bloodiest and most heroic battles of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
The Battle of Koshare remains one of the strongest links in the unbroken chain of national history and will always be commemorated among Albanians.
