Yugoslavia: Information on early Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) terrorist activity
| Publisher | United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| Author | Resource Information Center |
| Publication Date | 15 September 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | YUG00001.ASM |
| Cite as | United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Yugoslavia: Information on early Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) terrorist activity, 15 September 2000, YUG00001.ASM, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3dee22ed4.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Query:
Was the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) involved in terrorist activity in the early 1990s?
Response:
Accounts of the origin of the KLA and its first activity vary. One source states that the first KLA armed attack occurred in May 1993 in Glogovac, killing two Serb police officers and wounding five more (Foreign Affairs May/June 1999, 26). Another source states that isolated attacks on Serbian police began in 1995 (FAS 2 October 1998).
Even the date of the group's first public appearance is debated. Some sources claim that the KLA first formally announced its existence by taking responsibility for a February 1996 attack on Serbian refugees who had fled to Kosovo from the fighting in the Krajina (International Action Center; and United States Senate Republican Policy Committee March 31, 1999). Others place the first public appearance of the KLA at a funeral for victims of Serbian security forces in November 1997 (Socialism Today June 1999; and Jane's Intelligence Review April 1999).
Since 1997 the KLA has conducted attacks on Serbian police, other officials, and Albanians who collaborated with Serbian authorities (FAS 2 October 1998).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RIC within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Intelligence Resource Program. 2 October 1998. Kosovo Liberation Army [KLA]: Ushtria Clirimtare E Kosoves [UCK]. [Internet]
Foreign Affairs [New York]. May/June 1999. Vol. 78. Chris Hedges. "Kosovo's Next Masters?"
International Action Center. May 10 1999. Gary Wilson. "No 'Liberation Army', Croatian General Commands KLA" [Internet]
Jane's Intelligence Review [Surrey, UK]. April 1999. "The KLA: Braced to Defend and Control" [Internet]
Socialism Today. June 1999. Issue 39. "The KLA and the Struggle for Kosovar Self-determination" [Internet]
United States Senate Republican Policy Committee. March 31, 1999. The Kosovo Liberation Army: Does Clinton Policy Support Group with Terror, Drug Ties? From 'Terrorists' to 'Partners.' [Internet]
