Yugoslav September Offensive

Part of Kosovo war

Date

9 September 1998

Location

Drenica and Prizren

Result

Yugoslav victory

Yugoslavia regains territory
Humanitarian crisis

Belligerents

Yugoslavia

JSO

President of Yugoslavia

KLA

Commanders and leaders

Slobodan Milošević

Nebojša Pavković

Dragoljub Ojdanić

Franko Simatović

Milorad Ulemek

Hashim Thaçi

Agim Çeku

Sylejman Selimi

Strength

Unknown

Casualties and losses

Unknown

The Yugoslav September Offensive marked an escalation in the Kosovo War as Yugoslav forces launched aggressive operations against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in September 1998. This offensive came amid growing tensions between Yugoslav government forces and the KLA, which had been steadily gaining strength. The offensive was aimed at weakening the KLA's positions and regain control over the territories of Kosovo.^[1]^{[verification needed]}

During the offensive, Yugoslav forces targeted areas heavily populated by ethnic Albanians, resulting in large-scale displacement of civilians.

International Reaction

The international community, including the United Nations, attempted to mediate, calling for a ceasefire through UN Security Council Resolution 1199 in late September. Both the Yugoslav government and KLA failed to uphold the ceasefire, and the violence persisted, setting the stage for further international intervention in 1999.

This phase of the conflict reflected the intensity of Yugoslavia's efforts to suppress the KLA, as well as the increasing global attention to the region's humanitarian disaster.^[2]

References

^ "Kosovo Conflict Chronology: September 1998- March 1999". crsreports.congress.gov. Congressional Research Service. 6 April 1999.
^ "Kosovar War of Independence 1998-99". www.onwar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-10.