Battle of Nikuštak
Part of the 2001 insurgency in Macedonia
Date27 June – 5 July 2001
Location
Nikuštak, Macedonia
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
National Liberation Army  Macedonia
Commanders and leaders
North Macedonia Boris Trajkovski
North Macedonia Ljubčo Georgievski
Ljube Boškoski
Army of the Republic of Macedonia Blagoja Markovski
Units involved
Unknown Army of the Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Army
Macedonian Police
Casualties and losses
Unknown Army of the Republic of Macedonia Unknown
Nikuštak mosque destroyed by Macedonian shelling

The Battle of Nikuštak was a military engagement in 2001 between the National Liberation Army (NLA) and the Macedonian Army in the village of Nikuštak, North Macedonia. Macedonian forces launched a large-scale offensive in Nikuštak on 27 June 2001.[1]

Background

Shortly before the battle, NLA rebels were evacuated to Nikuštak, after the Battle of Aračinovo.[2]

Battle

On 27 July, the NLA launched an attack on Macedonian army positions at Umin Dol, located just east of Nikuštak. The NLA reportedly had used mortars, snipers, and automatic fire upon the Macedonian forces.[3][4] A few hours later, the Macedonian Army initiated an offensive and employed various weapons, including artillery and tanks, to combat the NLA in Nikuštak.[1][2]

On 28 June, Kosovo Force soldiers apprehended 90 suspected NLA rebels along Kosovo's border region with Macedonia, who had arrived from Nikuštak. This action was taken following NATO's decision to deploy 3000 soldiers to Macedonia to resolve the conflict and restore peace.[5]

Fighting continued, and on 2 July, as part of the offensive, Macedonian forces fired 80 rockets at NLA positions within the village.[6]

On 4 July, there were clashes near the village,[7] where according to the Macedonian army, the militants were regrouping.[8]

On 5 July, a nationwide ceasefire deal was reached between the NLA and the Macedonian government under the auspice of NATO.[9][10] The NLA retained control over Nikuštak.[11][12]

Aftermath

As a result of the Macedonian shelling and heavy fighting, the village was heavily damaged, while the Nikuštak mosque was destroyed.[6] The rebels in Nikuštak were disarmed by NATO in late August after a peace deal was reached.[13] In December, the Macedonian police restored their presence in the village with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's assistance.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 Naegele, Jolyon (2001-06-27). "Macedonia: Fighting Continues Amid Political Squabbling". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  2. 1 2 "New front opens in Macedonia". CNN. 2001-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  3. ↑ Testorides, Konstantin (2001-06-27). "More fighting breaks out in Macedonia". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  4. ↑ "New Clashes Follow Riots in Macedonia". Los Angeles Times. 2001-06-27. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  5. ↑ "Politik: Mazedonien: Kfor-Truppe nimmt albanische Rebellen fest" [Politics: Macedonia: KFOR troops arrest Albanian rebels]. Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  6. 1 2 "Pictures from Macedonian army positions". AP News. Retrieved 2023-06-25. The rebels remain in control of the adjacent village of Nikustak, where they are holed up but armed with mortars, anti-aircraft cannons and snipers.
  7. ↑ "Macedonian soldier killed in heavy fighting". The Irish Times. 2001-07-04. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  8. ↑ "Soldier killed in Macedonia clash". CNN. 2001-07-04. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  9. ↑ "Analysis: Macedonian truce prospects". BBC. 2001-07-05. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. ↑ "Nato brokers ceasefire in Macedonia". The Guardian. 2001-07-05. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  11. ↑ Gordon, Michael R. (2001-07-06). "A Hobbled Army Casts A Cloud in Macedonia". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  12. ↑ "British troops meet rebels over arms surrender under peace deal". The Herald. 2001-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  13. ↑ Finn, Peter (2001-08-28). "NATO Begins to Collect Weapons in Macedonia". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  14. ↑ Petruseva, Ana (2001-12-19). "Macedonia: Police Return to Rebel Villages". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
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