Operation MH-1 explained

Conflict:Operation MH-1
Partof:the 2001 insurgency in Macedonia
Date:28–29 March 2001
Place:Macedonia (Skopska Crna Gora and Kumanovo region near border with Kosovo)
Result:Macedonian victory[1] [2] [3] [4]
Territory:Macedonian forces regain control of Gračani[5]
Combatant2: National Liberation Army
Commander1: Boris Trajkovski
Ljubčo Georgievski
Pande Petrovski
Ljube Boškoski
Risto Galevski
Robert Petkovski
Commander2: Xhezair Shaqiri
Nazmi Sulejmani
Commander Sokoli
Avdil Jakupi
Beqir Sadiku
Hysni Shaqiri
Units1:

Wolves
Special Support Unit
Units2: 115th Brigade
113th Brigade
Strength1: 300 soldiers[6]
Unknown
10 T-55 Tanks[7]
Multiple APC's[8]
2 Mi-24 gunships[9]
Strength2: 100 militants[10]
Casualties1: 1 killed[11]
2 wounded[12]
Casualties2: Unknown
Casualties3:2 civilians in Kosovo killed and 10 wounded

Operation MH-1 was a Macedonian military operation with the goal to clear out the NLA rebels from the Skopska Crna Gora region all along the Macedonian border.[13] The offensive started on March 28, 2001, and ended the next day.

Prelude

Two days before the start of Operation MH-1 the Macedonian security forces started Operation MH in the Tetovo region which cleared out the NLA from the city and the surrounding villages.[14] [15]

Battle

The Macedonian security forces started a two pronged attack near the Kosovo border using tanks, APC's and helicopter gunships and occupied most roads and villages along the Kosovo border installing police checkpoints.[16]

During the operation, Macedonian infantry units were reluctant to engage in an open battle with the rebels.[10]

Although the Macedonian Army officially claimed victory, the NLA stated that they were only regrouping around Gračani for an upcoming counter-offensive.[17] [18]

Aftermath

On 31 March, 30 suspected rebels in Kosovo tried to cross the border into Macedonia, however they were detained by NATO forces.[19]

After the end of operation MH-1 and the securing of the border with Kosovo, the Macedonian armed forces launched Operation MH-2 to clear out the rebels in Kumanovo.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Smith . Jeffery . Shelling Hits Kosovo Village . . 22 January 2023 . The attack, which also wounded 16 residents, occurred as Macedonian government forces across the border pressed an offensive against Albanian guerrillas, many of whom have fled north across remote mountain passes into Kosovo. According to residents, about 20 of the rebels had passed near the village the previous night..
  2. Web site: Macedonia Rebels: It's Not Over Yet . CBS news . 25 March 2001 . 22 January 2023 . The fighting was continuing and retreating rebels were firing on Macedonian security forces, government officials added. But the rebels no longer held any villages and had inflicted no casualties on Macedonian forces, they said. Commander Sokoli, one of several regional rebel leaders, said senior commanders of the movement decided at a late afternoon meeting that they would strike back to reverse government progress made during a series of offensives that included the use of artillery, tanks and helicopter gunships. In contrast to government claims of victory, the rebels suggest they have merely pulled back and regrouped in the rugged and largely inaccessible hills near Tetovo..
  3. Web site: Gall . Carlotta . Macedonian Forces Chase Rebels Into Kosovo / Attacks kill 2 civilians, TV producer . SFGATE. The Macedonian government has been congratulating itself on a successful operation since Sunday against Albanian rebels, which it has managed with minimum casualties. . New York Times . 21 May 2022.
  4. News: Macedonia: Army Launches Offensive Near Kosovo Border . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 9 April 2008 . 11 May 2022.
  5. Web site: Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border . Los Angeles Times . 29 March 2001 . 21 May 2022.
  6. News: Krushelnycky . Askold . 2008-04-09 . Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels . en . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 2023-02-28.
  7. News: Krushelnycky . Askold . 2008-04-09 . Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels . en . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 2023-02-28.
  8. News: Krushelnycky . Askold . 2008-04-09 . Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels . en . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 2023-02-28.
  9. News: Civilians Killed as Shell Hits Village Across Macedonia-Kosovo Border . WSJ.
  10. Book: Phillips, John . Macedonia: Warlords and Rebels in the Balkans . 2004 . I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd . 1-86064-841-X . London . Staunch resistance by 100 NLA fighters cornered in the Gracani area after the Tetovo fighting continued to embarrass the ARM, whose infantry units seemed extremely reluctant to engage in an open battle. . 2014-09-29.
  11. Web site: Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border . Los Angeles Times . 29 March 2001 . 21 May 2022.
  12. Web site: Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border . Los Angeles Times . 29 March 2001 . 21 May 2022.
  13. Web site: New attack on Macedonia rebels . CNN . https://web.archive.org/web/20010508054416/http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/03/28/macedonia.army.02/index.html . 11 May 2022. 2001-05-08 .
  14. News: Finn . Peter . Albanian Guerrillas Retreat After Macedonian Offensive . The Washington Post . 30 April 2022.
  15. Web site: Boudreaux . Richard . Rebels Lose Strongholds in Army Assault . Los Angeles Times. 26 March 2001 .
  16. Web site: Warning of fresh Macedonia attacks . CNN . 11 May 2022.
  17. Web site: Macedonia Rebels: It's Not Over Yet . 2023-01-28 . www.cbsnews.com . 25 March 2001 . en-US.
  18. Web site: Archives . L. A. Times . 2001-03-29 . Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border . 2023-01-28 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  19. Web site: CNN.com - New Macedonia border clashes - March 31, 2001 . 2024-07-09 . edition.cnn.com.

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