Luan Haradinaj

Luan "Hilmi" Haradinaj (November 17, 1973 – May 6, 1997) was an Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) Soldier who died during the fight with Serbian forces in Qafë Prush, at the Border of that time of Yugoslavia and Albania.[1][2]

Luan Haradinaj
Other name(s)Luan Hilmi Haradinaj
Nickname(s)Adrian
BornNovember 17, 1973
Deçan, Kosovo
DiedMay 6, 1997(1997-05-06) (aged 23)
Qafë Prush, Yugoslav-Albanian Border
Allegiance Albania
Kosovo Liberation Army
Years of service1995–1997
RankSoldier
Battles/wars

Early life and education

Luan was born on 17 November 1973 in the village of Glođane, near Dečani (Albanian: Deçan), in Kosovo, then part of Yugoslavia. His paternal descent is from Berishë in northern Albania, around the city of Pukë.[3] He spent his youth in his native village with his parents and siblings, and completed primary school in Rznić (Albanian: Irzniq) and secondary school in Dečani and Gjakova. His elder brother Ramush Haradinaj was former Prime Minister of Kosovo.

Military career

Luan with his brother Shkelzen Haradinaj and their fellow comradew were among the first nuclei of armed resistance in the Dukagjin since November 1993. From that time, Luan Haradinaj with brothers, separately with Ramush Haradinaj, Shkelzen, Daut and friends of the cause, such as: Lahi Brahimaj, Agim Zeneli, Adrian Krasniqi, with all his youthful strength he had begun work in organizing armed groups. Having demonstrated exceptional diligence but also exceptional organizational skills, the Kosovo Liberation Army General Staff, since 1994, assigns the task of chief of logistics. Luan Haradinaj with brothers and companions of the cause, besides working on supplying weapons to future Kosovo Liberation Army fighters, he also participated in organizing and conducting a series of combat actions against the Serbian police, especially at strategic points and at police stations in Deçan. Luan stood out among his companions for his honesty, , solidarity, and above all for the care he showed for them when crossing the border. Since his military cause had not stopped for many years, he had memorized the paths to cross, where he was always in the front rows of liberators.[4]

Military education in Albania

During his stay in Albania, Luan was introduced to a wide circle of Soldiers from all captive Albanian lands,especially Kosovo. Luan also maintained contact with the legendary Kosovo Liberation Army commander Adem Jashari, Rexhep Selimi and Sylejman Selimi, Abedin Rexha and Fehmi Lladrovci. He has maintained contacts with Zahir Pajaziti and Ilir Konusevci. The contribution of the Haradinaj brothers to the expansion and consolidation of the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army is a very important chapter of struggle for freedom, while the momentum, temperament, ingenuity and determination of Luan Haradinaj have remained indeniable in the memory of all soldiers of Kosovo Liberation Army. In the face of the occupation forces in the spring of 1997, numerous liberation groups went from Kosovo to Albania and from Albania to Kosovo, although Serbian occupation forces had reinforced all crossings, the first KLA Soldiers and rescuers had penetrated. The most guarded and fortified border in the world, the boundary that once divided the territories of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania, however, had begun to become passable to KLA Soldiers, at any time of the year, at any time of day or night.[5]

Death

On May 6, 1997, Luan Haradinaj, along with his brother Ramush Haradinaj and other KLA Soldiers had taken route to cross the border near the village of Vlahne of Has, in the direction of Kuzhin. On that day, the Serbian forces had set up an ambush, Luan, was leading the soldiers, was first to be ambushed by the serbian military and police forces. On this occasion, Rafet Rama was also seriously injured, Ramush Haradinaj and Fehmi Lladrovci were also wounded. In those moments, armed conflict had begun. The Yugoslav forces hit with heavy artillery in order to annihilate all Albanian fighters. After many attempts and a frantic counterattack by the Kosovo Liberation Army, Ramush Haradinaj manages to get closer to his brother's body. Upon seeing Luan Haradinaj lying on his face, Ramush discovers that Luan had fallen. Under the unstoppable barrage of enemy grenades and bullets, Ramush Haradinaj manages to retrieve his brother's lifeless body. After four hours of travel, retreating from enemy fire, Ramush and his comrades carry the body of Luan Haradinaj and head to the village of Vlahne. There, with deep sorrow in their souls, with honors is buried the body of the nation's martyr, Luan Haradinaj. His brothers, companions and fellow fighters continue their way of liberation until June 21, 1999, when serbian Forces in joint effort from KLA and NATO are expelled from Kosovo.[6][7][8]

Legacy

On August 24, 1999, the body of Martyr Luan Haradinaj, his brothers and comrades-in-law, was taken from his burial ground in Vlahne and re-buried in his native village, in the heroic (formerly Glogjan) Qendresa he had written long enough during the liberation war. pages of heroism and glory. In honor and commemoration of his magnificent work, the General Staff of the Liberation Army. The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi describes Luan Haradinaj as the heart and soul of the Kosovo Liberation Army.[9][10][11]

References

  1. "21-vjet-nga-renia-e-luan-haradinajt". indeksonline (in Albanian). Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  2. "21-vjet-nga-renia-e-luan-haradinajt". telegrafi (in Albanian). Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "LUAN HARADINAJ DHE LUFTA ÇLIRIMTARE". epokaere (in Albanian). Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  5. "Deshmori Luan Haradinaj". kla (in Albanian). Retrieved 2015-02-06.
  6. "luan-haradinaj-figure-e-bashkimit-kombetar/". botasot (in Albanian). Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  7. "luan-haradinaj-muj-e-ahmet-krasniqi-te-vrare-nga-klanet-e-uck-s". botasot (in Albanian). Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  8. "ne-vendin-ku-u-ndava-me-luanin-haradinaj-kujton-te-vellain-qe-ra-deshmor-ne-luften-kunder-serbeve". oranews (in Albanian). Retrieved 2015-02-06.
  9. "thaci-luan-haradinaj-eshte-emblema-e-uck-se". epokaere (in Albanian). Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  10. "limaj-luan-haradinaj-ishte-berthama-e-uck-se/". gazetablic (in Albanian). Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  11. "homazhe-dhe-kurora-lule-tek-varri-i-deshmorit-luan-haradinaj". rtv21 (in Albanian). Retrieved 2016-02-20.
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