Battle of Đocaj and Jasić explained

Conflict:Battle of Đocaj and Jasić
Partof:the Kosovo War
Date:28 July 1998
Place:Đocaj and Jasić, Junik, Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Territory:Kosovo Liberation Army captures Đocaj and Jasić
Result:KLA victory
Combatant1: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Combatant2: Kosovo Liberation Army
Commander1: Goran Ostojić
Dragan Dušanić
Srđan Stančetić
Mile Karanović
Commander2: Agim Ramadani
Rrustem Berisha
Xhezair Shaqiri
Strength1: Unknown
Strength2: Unknown
Casualties1: 5 killed
1 wounded
Casualties2: 3 killed
2 wounded
Units1: 63rd Parachute Brigade
Units2: 138th Brigade "Agim Ramadani"

The Battle of Đocaj and Jasić (Albanian: Luftimet ne Gjocaj dhe Jasiq; Serbian: Битка код Ђоцаја и Јасића, Serbian: Bitka kod Đocaja i Jasića) also known as the Battle of Zharra (Albanian: Beteja e Zharres; Serbian: Битка код Жара, Serbian: Bitka kod Žara) took place during the Kosovo War between the ethnic Albanian paramilitary organization known as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the security forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over the villages of Đocaj and Jasić in the Junik municipality in western Kosovo.

Battle

On July 21, 1998, the 63rd parachute brigade of VJ, led by Goran Ostojić, approached the villages of Đocaj and Jasić, preparing for an ambush.[1] Their objective was to attack the Kosovo Liberation Army forces belonging to the 138th Brigade, commanded by Agim Ramadani and Rrustem Berisha. The KLA forces were stationed at a base near Žar Koliba, or Zharr in Albanian.[2] The VJ monitored the KLA's movements until July 28, 1998, when the KLA confronted them. The KLA managed to effectively counter any Yugoslav attacks.[3] Positioned strategically at Gunovac and Kumarec points, KLA units inflicted significant losses on the VJ. The battle intensified as the KLA successfully cut the supply route for the VJ, thus halting their advance. Goran Ostojić then directed a new reconnaissance group to secure the Gunovac point and facilitate the arrival of the main forces. Around 4:00 pm, the reconnaissance group led by Mile Karanović encountered an attack by the KLA group, which prevented their attempt to capture the Gunovac point. Swiftly intervening, Goran Ostojić pulled the group back, and at 5:00 pm, he ordered the unit to withdraw to the base in groups. During the attempt to reestablish contact with the reconnaissance group, Goran Ostojić, driving an all-terrain vehicle, fell into an KLA ambush and was killed in the encounter.[4]

In a final attempt, VJ sought to recover the body of Goran Ostojić, but found itself sorrounded by several groups of KLA militants in the Junik mountains, before withdrawing towards the forrests to Junik.

During the battle, three Yugoslav personnel were killed, one other sustained injuries, and two remained missing and are presumed dead. Meanwhile the KLA had three of their soldiers killed and two wounded.[5]

Personnel killed in the battle

Yugoslav personnel

KLA personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Једна ратна прича са Космета - www.zlocininadsrbima.com . 2023-11-26 . www.zlocininadsrbima.com.
  2. U nderua 20-vjetori i ‘Betejës së Zharrës’ https://www.epokaere.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Epoka-28-KORRIK-2018.pdf
  3. Web site: Чојство - Горан Остојић . 2023-11-26 . cojstvo.rs . sr.
  4. Book: Beer, Karl Willy . Die Politische Meinung . 1998 . Verlag Staat und Gesellschaft . 89 . de.
  5. Web site: Rrëfim ekskluziv i ushtarit të UÇK-së në Koshare: Ja si luftuam dhe sa serbë i vramë . 2023-11-26 . Bota Sot . en.
  6. Web site: Jugpress . 2018-10-13 . Sećanje na drugove : DA SE NE ZABORAVI – KOŠARE . 2023-11-26 . JUGPRESS . bs-BA.
  7. Web site: Novine . Levačke . 2016-04-09 . Kako je Goran Ostojić poginuo na Košarama . 2023-11-26 . Levačke Novine . sr-RS.
  8. Web site: Veprimtaria Kombëtare e Heroit të Kosovës Agim Ramadanit- Katana . 2023-11-26 . Bota Sot . en.