Battles of Drenoc

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The Battles of Drenoc were two battles fought in Drenoc, Kosovo, during the Kosovo War. The first occurred on April 26, 1998, when the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) captured the village. The second took place on May 11-12, 1998, when Yugoslav forces attempted to retake the village but were repelled. Both battles resulted in KLA victories.
Background
Drenoc was a strategically significant village held by the KLA. The KLA established a hospital and ambulance service for both local Albanians and fighters. The KLA headquarters in Rahovec was also based in Drenoc.
During the war, Drenoc was among 40 KLA-held villages that had detention centers for suspected Albanian and Romani collaborators. Several KLA officials, including Rexhep Selimi, Jakup Krasniqi, Hashim Thaçi, and Kadri Veseli, were later accused by the Hague Tribunal of war crimes related to these detention centers. Other KLA officers, including Azem Syla, Lahi Brahimaj, Fatmir Limaj, and others, were arrested in 2020 but pleaded not guilty.
First Battle of Drenoc (April 26, 1998)
On April 26, 1998, the KLA launched an offensive and successfully captured Drenoc from Yugoslav forces. This victory solidified KLA control in the region and allowed them to use Drenoc as a supply hub for military operations in Rahovec and Malisheva like the Mališevo offensive on the 29th of July, 1998 and the Attack on Orahovac between the 17th and 20th of July, 1998.
Second Battle of Drenoc (May 11-12, 1998)
On May 11, Yugoslav police launched an attack to recapture Drenoc. Despite their numerical and armored advantage, the KLA repelled the offensive. In response, the Serbian population of Ratkoc allowed Yugoslav police to position themselves within civilian houses. Following this battle, on May 12, Yugoslav forces launched the Anadrine Offensive, targeting Drenoc and 21 other villages, but were ultimately pushed back.
Aftermath
Following the battles, Yugoslav forces damaged the village of Drenoc. On November 5, 1998, they blocked Albanian refugees from returning to KLA-held territory. The Mosque of Drenoc, built in 1701, was heavily damaged.
In July 1998, the KLA reportedly executed six suspected collaborators and expelled four others from Drenoc. The village remained a key supply point during the Battle of Orahovac and the Malisevo offensive.
Today, Drenoc hosts a museum honoring the KLA's role in the conflict.

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