Operation MH-1

Operation MH-1 was a Macedonian mini-offensive and sweep operation designed to clear out the NLA rebels from the Skopska Crna Gora region all along the Macedonian border.[4][11] The offensive started on March 28, 2001, and ended the next day.

Operation MH-1
Part of the insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia
Date28–29 March 2001
Location
Skopska Crna Gora and Kumanovo region near border with Kosovo Republic of Macedonia
Result

Macedonian victory[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Belligerents
 Macedonia NLA
Commanders and leaders
Boris Trajkovski
Ljubčo Georgievski
Army of the Republic of Macedonia Pande Petrovski		 Commander Sokoli
Units involved
Army of the Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Army
Law enforcement in the Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Police		 115th Brigade
Strength
300 soldiers[7]
10 T-55 Tanks[8]
Multiple APC's[9]
2 Hind gunships[5]		 100 soldiers[10]
Casualties and losses
Army of the Republic of Macedonia 1 killed[6]
Army of the Republic of Macedonia 2 wounded[6]		 Unknown
2 civilians in Kosovo killed[5]

Prelude

Two days before the start of Operation MH-1 the Macedonian security forces started Operation MH in the Tetovo region which cleared out the NLA from the city and the surrounding villages.[4][12][13]

Battle

The Macedonian security forces started a two pronged attack near the Kosovo borderusing tanks, APC's and helicopter gunships and occupied most roads and villages along the Kosovo border installing police checkpoints.[14]

During the Battle the Macedonian Army was embarrassed by the NLA, Macedonian infantry units were extremely reluctant to engage in an open battle with the rebels.[10]

Although the Macedonian Army officially claimed victory, the NLA stated that they were only regrouping around Gračani for an upcoming Counter-Offensive.[15][16]

Aftermath

After the end of operation MH-1 and the securing of the Kosovo border Macedonia launches Operation MH-2 to clear out the rebels in Kumanovo.

See also

References
  1. Smith, Jeffery. "Shelling Hits Kosovo Village". Retrieved 22 January 2023. The attack, which also wounded 16 residents, occurred as Macedonian government forces across the border pressed an offensive against Albanian guerrillas, many of whom have fled north across remote mountain passes into Kosovo. According to residents, about 20 of the rebels had passed near the village the previous night.
  2. "Macedonia Rebels: It's Not Over Yet". CBS news. Retrieved 22 January 2023. The fighting was continuing and retreating rebels were firing on Macedonian security forces, government officials added. But the rebels no longer held any villages and had inflicted no casualties on Macedonian forces, they said. Commander Sokoli, one of several regional rebel leaders, said senior commanders of the movement decided at a late afternoon meeting that they would strike back to reverse government progress made during a series of offensives that included the use of artillery, tanks and helicopter gunships. In contrast to government claims of victory, the rebels suggest they have merely pulled back and regrouped in the rugged and largely inaccessible hills near Tetovo.
  3. Gall, Carlotta. "Macedonian Forces Chase Rebels Into Kosovo / Attacks kill 2 civilians, TV producer". SFGATE. New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2022. The Macedonian government has been congratulating itself on a successful operation since Sunday against Albanian rebels, which it has managed with minimum casualties.
  4. "Macedonia: Army Launches Offensive Near Kosovo Border". Radio Free Europe. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. "Civilians Killed as Shell Hits Village Across Macedonia-Kosovo Border". The Wall Street Journal.
  6. "Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. Krushelnycky, Askold (2008-04-09). "Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  8. Krushelnycky, Askold (2008-04-09). "Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  9. Krushelnycky, Askold (2008-04-09). "Macedonia: Army Launches Fresh Attack On Rebels". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  10. Phillips, John (2004). Macedonia: Warlords and Rebels in the Balkans. London: I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd. ISBN 1-86064-841-X. Retrieved 2014-09-29. Staunch resistance by 100 NLA fighters cornered in the Gracani area after the Tetovo fighting continued to embarrass the ARM, whose infantry units seemed extremely reluctant to engage in an open battle.
  11. "New attack on Macedonia rebels". CNN. Archived from the original on 2001-05-08. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  12. Finn, Peter. "Albanian Guerrillas Retreat After Macedonian Offensive". The Washington Post. The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  13. Boudreaux, Richard. "Rebels Lose Strongholds in Army Assault". Los Angeles Times.
  14. "Warning of fresh Macedonia attacks". CNN. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  15. "Macedonia Rebels: It's Not Over Yet". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  16. Archives, L. A. Times (2001-03-29). "Macedonia Hits Rebels Near Kosovo Border". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
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