TIRANA, April 16 – April 16 marks 27 years since the start of the mass exodus of Kosova Albanians toward Albania in 1999. The movement began amid escalating conflict and an ethnic cleansing attempt during the Kosova war.
Kukës in northern Albania became the main entry point for hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Residents opened their homes and shared resources with refugees arriving under extreme conditions. Local communities provided immediate shelter and humanitarian support throughout the crisis.
The exodus followed widespread violence linked to the Kosova conflict and what sources describe as a Serbian state plan known as operation “Horseshoe”, designed as an ethnic cleansing attempt against Kosovans. Between March and June 1999, around one million people left their homes. Large flows crossed into Albania through border points such as Qafë Morina and Qafë Prush.
The 1999 expulsions remain among the most severe refugee crises in Europe since the Second World War. Kukës continues to stand as a symbol of humanitarian solidarity and civilian support during wartime.
/a.p./
The post 27 years since Kosovan exodus toward Kukës in Albania appeared first on RTSH English.
