Adem Jashari

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Adem Jashari (Serbian language: Адем Јашари) (November 28, 1955 – March 7, 1998) was born in Drenica, SAP Kosovo, Serbia, Yugoslavia. Jashari was a chief commander in the Drenica operation Zone of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He is venerated by many Albanians as a freedom fighter in the cause of Kosovo independence. Also he is considered as a terrorist by Serbs and other non-Albanians from Kosovo. Jashari is considered to be Albanian National Hero^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Background

Adem's father was a teacher called Shaban. His birthday, 28 November, coincides with the independence of Albania and the day of the Albanian flag. His birthplace, (Albanian: Prekazi Ulët), lies in the region of Drenica.

[edit] Professional career

On July 2, 1990, Kosovo’s parliament declared Kosovo a seventh republic in Yugoslavia and adopted a constitution for the new Republic of Kosovo. Jashari soon moved to the Republic of Albania to train with the first volunteers who later joined in Kosovo Liberation Army, formally known in Albanian as "UÇK".

The Jashari family fought Serb/Yugoslav forces in Kosovo from the early '90s but this fact was kept hidden from the general public by both moderate Albanian politicians and by the Belgrade government, in order to preserve the status-quo. The first battle between Jashari and his friends against federal forces took place on the morning of December 30, 1991. Jashari's house was surrounded by a large number of security personnel demanding Adem's surrender. A fierce battle ensued in which the Yugoslav troops had to withdraw due to the strong resistance provided by Adem and friends [1]. The Jasharis residence in Prekaz was next attacked by Serbian police forces on January 22, 1998. The attack was repelled when, according to Shaban Jashari, Adem's father, "friends from the woods" came to help. On March 5, 1998, Prekaz was attacked again by the large national army and police forces in a "prepared and determined manner." A second ring of troops were formed to prevent any possible help coming to the Jashari family. It is estimated that 58 ethnic Albanians were killed in the attack including 28 women and children from the Jashari family. The exact number varies depending upon source. In this attack, Jashari was killed. Local villagers say that he shot himself to protect his honour and avoid being killed by the federal army^{[citation needed]}. As a matter of fact, there was only one bullet wound in his right jaw, showing that Adem possibly shot himself^{[citation needed]}

Jashari became a symbol of independence for Kosovo Albanians, as many have been known to wear t-shirts with his picture after Kosovo declared its sovereignty on Sunday, February 17, 2008.^[1] The t-shirts are known to say "Bac, U Kry!", which translates to 'Uncle, Its Done!" in English.^[2]