The expulsion of Soviets from Albania was an anti-Soviet campaign carried out by the Albanian leader Enver Hoxha. It was a significant event in the history of Albania and took place during the Cold War. This phase was characterized by tensions between the Soviet Union and the socialist regime in Albania. The expulsion began from 1961 and continued until 1964.[1]
| Expulsion of Soviets from Albania | |
| Partof: | Vlora incident and the Albanian–Soviet split |
| Type: | Expulsion by military force |
| Location: | Albania |
| Commanded By: | Enver Hoxha (First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania) Mehmet Shehu (Prime Minister of Albania) Beqir Balluku (Minister of Defence of Albania) |
| Target: |
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| Date: | 1961–1964 |
| Casualties: | Several Soviet sailors were killed by the Albanian Armed Forces |
| Outcome: | Albanian victory
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After the end of World War II, Albania became a socialist state closely aligned with the Soviet leadership under Joseph Stalin. In the 1940s and 1950s, a close relationship developed between the Soviet Union and Albania, with the USSR providing economic, military, and political support.[2] [3]
However, ideological differences between the two countries began to emerge in the subsequent years. Albanian leader Enver Hoxha was a staunch advocate of "Hoxhaism," a communist ideology heavily influenced by Stalinist principles but also claiming a certain degree of autonomy for Albania.
The Soviet Union under Nikita Khrushchev, however, took a political turn in the late 1950s, criticizing the cult of Stalin. This new Soviet policy was vehemently rejected by Hoxha and the Albanian government as they viewed it as "revisionism" and a departure from Marxist–Leninist principles.[4]
Tensions between the USSR and Albania escalated in the 1960s. Enver Hoxha and his party saw Soviet policy as a threat to their revolutionary principles and Albania's national sovereignty. In return, Soviet leaders such as Khrushchev openly criticized the Albanian government and its leader.[5]
During the Albanian attack on the Soviet naval presence at the end of July 1961, Soviets were expelled from Vlora. Many Soviet sailors were killed during the attack and driven out of Albania.[6] When the Soviets under the leadership of Khruschev broke off diplomatic relations with Albania, all Soviet buildings and military bases or the Ambassador were confiscated by the Albanian government[7] [8] and all Soviets up to 1964 were then expelled from Albania.[9]