Agim Ramadani

Agim Ramadani
Monument of Agim Ramadani
Born	3 May 1964 Zhegra, Gjilan, SFR Yugoslavia
Died	1999 Košare, Kosovo, FR Yugoslavia (FR Yugoslav-Albanian border)
Rank	Commander
Unit	Brigade 138 "Agim Ramadani"
Commands held	Kosovo Liberation Army
Battles/wars	Kosovo war Battle of Košare

Agim Ramadani (3 May 1964 - April 1999) was an Albanian leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), best known for his support in the Battle of Košare.

Biography

Agim Ramadani^[a] was born in the village of Zhegra in the municipality of Gjilan in SFR Yugoslavia - now Kosovo^[b]. He was considered one of the best students in his country,^[1] and visited the high technical school in Gnjilane in 1980, and the Military Academy for communications in the Zagreb, SR Croatia. Poetry and painting were his passions during his high school. His poetry was published in literary magazines, whereas painting exhibitions were organized in Croatia, where he worked as a military, and in Switzerland, where lived as a political immigrant after the beginning of the war. In 1998 Ramadani accepted honorary membership at the European Academy of Arts.^[2]

Although he was an immigrant in Switzerland, in 1998 Agim Ramadani responded to the call of his homeland, Kosovo, and joined the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), leaving three children and wife in Switzerland.^[3]

He was during the Kosovo War a top strategist and leader. Ramadani was known by the name-conspiratorial Katana. General of Albanian Army, Kudusi Lama has rated Ramadani as the best officer for radiobug. According to Lama, he had knowledge for all the movements of enemy in the territory of Košare.^[4] This allowed his brigade to take sudden attacks, causing big losses for Yugoslavian troops.The Department of Brigade "138" have two special units: The "Cobra" Special Unit that was tasked with observing enemy movements and "Delta" special unit which was involved in startling attacks. Also in this brigade they have create military police who were under command of lieutenant Kujtim Vranovci. In action coded Phoenix 30.09.1998 he and his soldiers destroyed paramilitary unit of serbs called "Zhalka". Arms and uniforms of members of this unit are presented to supreme commander Rustem Berisha.It was one of the drafters of the plan for breaking border, which also made together with Sali Ceku. He was the first one to take down the boundary stone in Košare. After breaking border, on the part of Kosovo, called Zog, he was killed by the sniper of Yugoslavian Army. Mike Spath a professional sniper born in Germany who during the war in Kosovo 1998-1999 have joined KLA with a motive to stop "Srebrenica 2",in Kosovo decribes his commander as the best commander in the past of 100 years. "Commander better than Agim had no better in the last 100 years. In 9 conflicts where i participated the structure of brigade of Agim Ramadani despite that were inexperienced or experienced at short war were the best. It was not a big army but they use their heads and hands together", ^[5]

Agim is considered as one of the most famous heroes of the new Albanian history.^[6] Agim Ramadani have left behind two sons, Jeton and Edon, and his daughter Laurina.^[7]

Trivia

• A main street in Pristina is named after Agim Ramadani.^[8]

Notes

References