2015 Kumanovo clashes explained

Conflict:2015 Kumanovo clashes
Date:9–10 May 2015
(2 days)
Place:Kumanovo, Macedonia
Map Type:North Macedonia
Map Relief:yes
Coordinates:42.1358°N 21.7181°W
Result:Macedonian police victory
  • Armed group neutralized
  • Suppression of the armed group by the Macedonian police[1] [2]
Combatant1: Macedonian police
Combatant2:Albanian armed group[3]
Commander1: Gordana Jankuloska
Commander2:Mirsad Ndrecaj[4]
Muhamet Krasniqi[5]
Sami Ukshini
Beg Rizaj
Demë Shehu
Units1:
Units2:Unknown
Strength1:Unknown
Strength2:50-70 militants[6]
Casualties1:8 killed
37 wounded[7]
Casualties2:10 killed[8] [9] [10]
30-36 arrested[11]

The 2015 Kumanovo clashes were series of shootouts which erupted during a raid between the Macedonian police and an armed group identifying itself as the National Liberation Army (NLA). They began on 9 May 2015 in the northern Macedonian town of Kumanovo.[12] During the shootings, 8 Macedonian policemen and 10 of the militants were killed, while 37 officers were wounded and hospitalized.[13] The shooting ended on 10 May 2015, in an operation by the Macedonian police, in which 30 militants were arrested and charged with terrorism-related charges by the Macedonian authorities.[14]

Background

In 2001, there was a conflict between Macedonia and the National Liberation Army (NLA).[15] During the conflict, the region of Kumanovo was at the center of hostilities.[16] A large community of ethnic Albanians has been living in the region.[17] The event occurred during a deep political crisis in the Republic of Macedonia, dating back to the 2014 general elections.[18] The main opposition party, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), had been making allegations of electoral fraud, denounced the conservative VMRO-DPMNE's party victory and had boycotted the Assembly since.[19] Since early 2015, the Social Democratic leader, Zoran Zaev, came into possession of mass illegal wire-tap recordings allegedly orchestrated by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.[20] Zaev started releasing the so-called information "bombs," a series of wire-tapped conversations between the conservative government officials, most of them including Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.[20] In doing so, he has made allegations that Gruevski has ordered the wire-tapping of some 20,000 Macedonian citizens and having control over the court system in Macedonia.[21]

Event

Macedonian media released claims from inhabitants of Zajaz in Kumanovo that they saw around 50 armed men in the early morning. On 9 May, the Macedonian police equipped with armored vehicles and machine guns moved in on Kumanovo to seek an Albanian armed group allegedly planning attacks around the country.[22] The government stated that the armed group numbered 50–70, and the armed men hid in private homes in the Kumanovo neighborhood of Divo Naselje.[17] A shootout between the Macedonian police and the armed group identifying itself as the NLA erupted.[23] The armed group used automatic rifles, sniper rifles, and grenades against the police, and were said by officials to be well-trained.[24] The Macedonian police suffered 3 dead and 12 were wounded in the morning.[17] The inhabitants in the area were evacuated by Macedonian police during the day.[24] Serbia reinforced its border zone. Serbian state news agency Tanjug reported that a large number of Albanians from Kumanovo crossed the border into Serbia.[25]

Around 18:00 CET, the Macedonian media reported that the fighting had stopped, with 27 of the militants having surrendered.[25] However, after most of them surrendered in the evening,[26] [27] there was still sporadic shooting.[28] Macedonian investigators identified the militants as Macedonian and Kosovan nationals, and that they had the intention to attack government institutions and buildings.[29] According to Albanian media, NLA claimed responsibility.[30] By 10 May, the Macedonian police confirmed that the armed group had been neutralized.[2] 8 policemen were killed and 37 policemen were injured.[31] There was also property damage, but no civilians were injured.

Aftermath

The Macedonian authorities stated that the "gunmen were ethnic Albanian terrorists, mostly Macedonian, but led by five Albanians from neighboring Kosovo."[32] The government also described the gunmen as "former rebel commanders from neighboring Kosovo, which broke from Serbia in war in 1999 and inspired an ethnic Albanian insurgency in Macedonia two years later."[33] Gruevski and VMRO-DPMNE presented the incident as a "terrorist attack". The pro-government media also called for the country's unification behind the government and labeled people who disputed the official interpretation of events as traitors.[34] [35] Sami Ukshini, Beg Rizaj, Demë Shehu, Muhamet Krasniqi and Mirsad Ndrecaj were identified as the leaders of the armed group.[36] After the clashes, Macedonian prosecutors charged 30 militants with terrorism.[37] Authorities said that 18 of the suspects were ethnic Albanian illegal immigrants from Kosovo.[37] 10-14 militants were killed in the clashes.[38] [39] On 10 May 2015, the Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov called an emergency meeting of the country's National Security Council where the leadership of the Macedonian army, police, and political leaders from governing and opposition parties met in the presidential palace to discuss the events.[40] After the meeting, Ivanov stated that "police have prevented coordinated terrorist attacks at different locations in the country that would cause serious destabilization, chaos and fear," adding that the authorities were aware of the armed group's activities since "early 2015."[41] The Macedonian government declared two national days of mourning after the attacks for the police officers that lost their lives during the attack.[42] On 14 May, US Ambassador to the OSCE, Daniel Baer thanked the OSCE Mission to Skopje for its "constructive role in facilitating a ceasefire".[43] Kosovo Police raided several households in Kosovo on 15 May in response to the clashes.[44] On 22 May, Macedonia transferred the bodies of 9 ethnic Albanian gunmen to Kosovo.[45] Veterans' organizations and their families organized their burial in Pristina on 26 May,[46] calling the killed men national heroes.[47]

The group was not supported by the local population or the political parties.[48] The trial against the defendants began in February 2016. The prosecution accused the defendants of being previously involved in an attack on a police station in Gošince. The defendants' lawyers alleged there was police brutality against their clients during their transportation from prison to the court and return.[49] In November 2017, 33 ethnic Albanians were found guilty of terrorism and given prison sentences by the Skopje Criminal Court, while 4 were acquitted.[50] The defendants denied the charges against them, saying they acted in self-defense, while other defendants said they had been victims of a politically motivated set-up. A week after the verdict, family members and relatives of the convicted protested in Skanderbeg Square in Skopje, claiming their innocence.[51] The Kosovo government decided on 10 November to give 219,000 euros in aid to the families of the convicts and those killed during the clashes.[52] Kosovo Liberation Army veterans and their supporters protested against the convictions on 28 November in Pristina.[53] Similar protests were organized in several towns in Kosovo, including Pristina, Gjilan, and Peja. Demonstrators demanded their release while burning the flag of the Republic of Macedonia. The transfer of prisoners to Kosovo has been discussed by the news media but it was not fulfilled.[54] [55] [56] A monument to the killed police officers was revealed on August 2023.[57]

Official statements

In his speech, the Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski, praised the police operation calling it a "highly professional, heroic and patriotic action,"[58] adding that the "group planned to attack sports events, shopping malls, as well as state-run institutions."[58] He also hailed the eight Macedonian policemen that died during the raid, but also claimed that "their courage may have prevented the killing of some other 8,000 people."[58] [59] Gruevski, during his televised address, said "this is not a Macedonian-Albanian conflict, but a conflict between people who mean no good to the state and people who uphold the state."[60]

President Ivanov said that the Macedonian authorities were aware of the presence of the group within the country since the beginning of 2015.[41] Per him, both EU and NATO members, as well as neighboring countries, were warned about the activities of the group.[61] He also stated that "at the meeting of the National Security Council, which was attended by representatives of the opposition, the attack on the security of the country, whose aim was to destabilise Macedonia, was condemned in the strongest terms," pointing out that "it is high time that those conversations intensified" on the matter of Macedonia joining the European Union and NATO.[62]

Allegations

The clashes occurred shortly after the release of audio surveillance revealing corruption on a massive scale committed by the leading party in government. Many opposition leaders and political experts claimed the shootout was politically set up to divert the public's attention away from the scandals revolving around the corruption allegations. They also claimed there was evidence that the group was paid 2 million euros to carry out the clashes. Local analysts and international academics have also questioned the government's version of events.[63] [64] Then-leader of the opposition Zoran Zaev stated that "strong indications exist that this is a scenario planned by those in power."[65] VMRO DPMNE strongly denied the claims that it was behind the Kumanovo incident and that it was staged.[66] After he became the prime minister, Zaev declared there would be an international probe.[67] Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski also said that he would call for an international investigation. However, such an investigation has not been conducted. Regarding the incident, political scientist Florian Bieber wrote: "While the full story of the Kumanovo incident might never come to light, the timing, the confrontation itself, and its background have raised serious doubts about the veracity of the government version of events."[68]

International reactions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Котески: Заврши акцијата во Куманово, терористите елиминирани и неутрализирани . Vest . 10 May 2015 . 10 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514070228/http://www.vest.mk/default.asp?ItemID=F9AB7002241FE4408E2A0FB59DF4FD6C . 14 May 2015 . dead .
  2. Web site: МВР:Акцијата во Куманово заврши, разбиена најсилна терористичка група на Балканот . PlusInfo. 10 May 2015. 10 May 2015.
  3. Web site: Ликвидирана терористичката група . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  4. Web site: Mirsad Ndrecaj i Beg Rizaj megju ubienite . . 12 May 2015 . 13 May 2015.
  5. Web site: Ликвидирана терористичката група . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  6. Web site: Терористичката група целосно разбиена . . 11 May 2015 . 13 May 2015 . Samardjiski, Aleksandar . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514171748/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=51115957106&id=9&prilog=0&setIzdanie=23464 . 14 May 2015 .
  7. Web site: Macedonia policemen killed in battle with armed group . . . 9 May 2015 . 10 May 2015.
  8. Web site: Macedonia Cuts Number of 'Armed Group' Members Killed in Kumanovo. novinite.com.
  9. Web site: Prokuroria konfirmon se në Kumanovë janë 10, jo 14 të vrarë. RTKlive.com.
  10. Web site: Zeka: Lista me të vrarët në Kumanovë është e pakonfirmuar. RTKlive.com.
  11. News: Macedonia charges 30 with terrorism after Kumanovo clashes. BBC News. 11 May 2015.
  12. Web site: Gun battles in former ethnic flashpoint in Macedonia kill 5 police officers . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . Vladimir Gjuzelov . Ben Brumfield.
  13. Web site: NATO, EU urge 'restraint' as Macedonia clashes leave 22 dead . . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . Atanasovski, Robert.
  14. Web site: Macedonia charges 30 alleged ethnic Albanian militants over weekend battle that killed 22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514131302/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/11/macedonia-charges-30-alleged-ethnic-albanian-militants-over-weekend-battle-that/ . dead . May 14, 2015 . . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  15. Book: Oliver P. Richmond . Gëzim Visoka . The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies . 2022 . Springer Nature . 9783030779542 . 354, 355-356.
  16. Web site: Macedonia: police officers and 'armed group' members killed during clashes . The Guardian . 10 May 2015.
  17. News: Okršaj u MKD, ubijena tri policajca. B92 . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015 .
  18. Book: Robert Hudson . Ivan Dodovski . Macedonia’s Long Transition: From Independence to the Prespa Agreement and Beyond . 2023 . Springer Nature . 9783031207730 . 18.
  19. Web site: Opposition boycotts new Macedonian parliament . . 10 May 2014 . 10 May 2015 . Casule, Kole . 27 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181127004403/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-macedonia-parliament-idUKKBN0DQ0CX20140510 . dead .
  20. Web site: Fears for Macedonia's fragile democracy amid 'coup' and wiretap claims . . 27 February 2015 . 10 May 2015 . MacDowall, Andrew.
  21. Web site: Macedonians divided over massive wiretapping scandal; government suspects coup plot . https://web.archive.org/web/20150323170059/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/23/macedonians-divided-over-massive-wiretapping-scandal-government-suspects-coup/ . dead . March 23, 2015 . . . 23 March 2015 . 10 May 2015.
  22. Web site: Leaked Tapes, Shootout, and Protests Prompt Senior Macedonian Officials to Resign . Vice News . 12 May 2015.
  23. Web site: Macedonia police fight an 'armed terrorist group' . . . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015.
  24. News: Haos u Kumanovu: Pucnji, gore kuće. B92 . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015.
  25. News: Serbia sends more police to border with Macedonia. B92 . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015.
  26. Web site: Алфа ексклузивно - дел од терористичката група и се предаде на полицијата . Alfa TV . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015 . Macedonian . https://web.archive.org/web/20150512023748/http://www.alfa.mk/News.aspx?id=93446#.VU5gPY6qqko . 12 May 2015 . dead .
  27. http://www.dtt-net.com/en/index.php?page=view-article&article=8393 Gunfire in Macedonia ends as armed men surrender
  28. Web site: Поголем дел од терористите се предадоа, се уште има спорадични престрелки . Alfa TV . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015 . Macedonian . https://web.archive.org/web/20150511221202/http://www.alfa.mk/News.aspx?ID=93449#.VU5ixo6qqko . 11 May 2015 . dead .
  29. Web site: Mинистерството за внатрешни работи не открива дали има жртви во вооружената престрелка во кумановската населба, Диво населје, помеѓу припадниците на МВР и групата терористи. . Alfa TV . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150510113937/http://www.alfa.mk/News.aspx?id=93439#.VU5iw46qqko . 10 May 2015 . dead .
  30. News: Gunfire, explosions rock Kumanovo, NLA claims responsibility for the attack . Albeu . 9 May 2015 . 9 May 2015 . 21 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321221455/http://english.albeu.com/news/news/gunfire-explosions-rock-kumanovo-nla-claims-responsibility-for-the-a/198356/ . dead.
  31. Web site: Smoke and Mirrors: A Macedonian Spy Mystery . Balkan Insight . 8 May 2018.
  32. Web site: Macedonia clashes: ‘My town looks like a war zone’ . France 24 Observers . 11 May 2015.
  33. Web site: Gun battle in ethnic Albanian region deepens Macedonian crisis . Reuters . 10 May 2015.
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  35. Web site: The deep roots of Macedonia's current turmoil – and the way forward . openDemocracy . 13 May 2015.
  36. Web site: Macedonia blames Kosovans for deadly Kumanovo clashes . . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  37. Web site: Macedonia charges 30 suspects with terrorism after deadly clashes in Kumanovo . . . 12 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  38. Web site: Elezi . Nazmi . 2015-05-17 . Prokuroria: Në Kumanovë 10 të vrarë nga grupi i armatosur, e jo 14 - Telegrafi . 2024-04-05 . en-US.
  39. Web site: Macedonia says 10 militants killed, not 14, in weekend gunbattle . 2024-04-05.
  40. Web site: Macedonian Security Council to Hold Session on Kumanovo Developments . Independent.mk . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054359/http://www.independent.mk/articles/17319/Macedonian+Security+Council+to+Hold+Session+on+Kumanovo+Developments . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  41. Web site: Crisis in Macedonia . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . Georgievski, Boris.
  42. Web site: Macedonia Declares Mourning For Police Killed in Gunbattles . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  43. Web site: Amb. Baer at OSCE on Developments in Macedonia. U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia. 14 May 2015.
  44. Web site: Kosovo chases suspects linked to Macedonia clashes . Al Jazeera . 15 May 2015.
  45. Web site: Skopje returns nine bodies to Kosovo . Deutsche Welle . 22 May 2015.
  46. Web site: Thousands of Kosovars mourn Albanian militants killed in Macedonia . Reuters . 26 May 2015.
  47. Web site: Former Kosovo Fighters Salute Men Killed in Kumanovo . Balkan Insight . 26 May 2015.
  48. Web site: Calm Returns to Devastated Macedonian Town . Balkan Insight . 11 May 2015.
  49. Web site: Suspicion Shadows 'Albanian Terror' Trial In Macedonia – Analysis . Eurasia Review . . 22 September 2016.
  50. Web site: Macedonia Gives Kumanovo Gunmen Heavy Jail Terms . Balkan Insight . 2 November 2017.
  51. Web site: "Kumanovo group", heavy convictions for the 2015 shootout . Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa . 27 November 2017.
  52. Web site: Kosovo Aids Families of Macedonia Shootout Convicts . Balkan Insight . 10 November 2017.
  53. Web site: Kosovo Veterans Protest at Macedonia Shootout Convictions . Balkan Insight . 28 November 2017.
  54. Web site: Осудениците од "Диво Насеље" ќе бидат префрлени во Косово . Sitel Televizija . 8 May 2023 . 8 May 2023 .
  55. Web site: Косово треба да ги признае пресудите за „Диво Насеље“, па да размислува за префрлање на затворениците, посочува Лога . Makfax . 27 August 2023 . 8 May 2023.
  56. Web site: Аврамовска Мадиќ: Досега нема предмет за екстрадиција на осудените за „Диво насеље“ . MIA . 27 August 2023 . 11 May 2023.
  57. Web site: Interior Minister unveils memorial honoring police officers who lost their lives in anti-terror raid . 23 August 2023 . MIA.
  58. Web site: Macedonian police wipe out Albanian 'terrorists' . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  59. Web site: Gruevski: The eight heroes who died perhaps saved 8,000 people from terrorists . Kurir . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  60. Web site: Gun battle in ethnic Albanian region deepens Macedonian crisis . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . Robinson, Matt.
  61. Web site: Macedonia Was Aware of Danger Posed by Kumanovo Attackers . Sofia News Agency . 11 May 2015.
  62. Web site: Ivanov: "Lack of EU and NATO integration to blame for conflict" . . . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
  63. Web site: Government's Claims About Macedonia Terrorist Group Met Skeptically . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 11 May 2015.
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  68. Book: Florian Bieber . The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans . 2018 . Palgrave Macmillan . 9783030221485 . 92.
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  70. Web site: Albania threatens to veto Macedonia's NATO bid. 2016-10-03. 2020-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708214122/https://www.yahoo.com/news/albania-threatens-veto-macedonias-nato-bid-185836194.html?ref=gs. dead.
  71. Web site: Bulgaria sends army to Macedonia border . . 13 May 2015 . 15 May 2015 . Zhelev, Veselin.
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  77. Web site: Stoltenberg: Macedonian police proved that can handle the situation . Kurir . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025341/http://kurir.mk/en/?p=45314 . dead .
  78. Web site: Nato head Stoltenberg urges 'restraint' in Macedonia crisis . TangriNews . 11 May 2015 . 12 May 2015.
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  80. Web site: Nikolic Sends Telegram Of Condolences To Ivanov . InSerbia . . 10 May 2015 . 12 May 2015 . 29 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150529201244/http://inserbia.info/today/2015/05/nikolic-sends-telegram-of-condolences-to-ivanov/ . dead .
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