UCK Threatens Macedonian Republic

[VMRO]

I think those reports were related to the Lions, which strictly speaking, was probably a paramilitary group run by DPMNE. Buckovski tried to paint it as a legally constituted police unit, but it appears that its command and control structure ran through DPMNE rather than the Ministry of Interior. In the end, its really hard to be sure - they way the party runs the state over there really blurs the lines between state and political party, between public and private and between legitimate state institutions and non-state organisations like political parties.

I agree with you about the Lions being run by DPMNE, two of their parliamentarians at the time were part of the Lions and fought in Tetovo.

The two i'm talking about were Filip Petrovski and Aleksandar Panov.

[Vangelovski]

I know there were reports where paramilitary groups in 2001 were assisting the Army, but it was just reports.

I think those reports were related to the Lions, which strictly speaking, was probably a paramilitary group run by DPMNE. Buckovski tried to paint it as a legally constituted police unit, but it appears that its command and control structure ran through DPMNE rather than the Ministry of Interior. In the end, its really hard to be sure - they way the party runs the state over there really blurs the lines between state and political party, between public and private and between legitimate state institutions and non-state organisations like political parties.

[Volokin]

Being a Facebook page with 890 likes, it would appear it's just a bunch of internet warriors.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/U%C3%A7k-Shkup/215208105336685

First I have heard of this supposed group.

[VMRO]

Its hard to tell. I know some of the members of the Struga branch, and like most organisations, its a mixed bunch. Some would definately defend their country while others are just posers.

As for 2001, it is possible that individual members fought within the ranks of the army and police, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that MOS as an organisation was involved.

I know there were reports where paramilitary groups in 2001 were assisting the Army, but it was just reports.

[Vangelovski]

I've been hearing about this MOS on and off for a good few years now, are they even active or is it a few guys who put on some black uniforms and pose for photo's.


There hasn't been any concrete evidence that they are active, during the 2001 conflict they were claiming to be fighting but can anyone confirm this?

Its hard to tell. I know some of the members of the Struga branch, and like most organisations, its a mixed bunch. Some would definately defend their country while others are just posers.

As for 2001, it is possible that individual members fought within the ranks of the army and police, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that MOS as an organisation was involved.

[Vangelovski]

Thanks.

During the Balkan wars we saw Serbian paramilitary groups having quasi-official contact with the army and police, with the latter even arming some of these groups, would it be similar here?

I doubt it - the Macedonian government is nothing but a quisling for foreign interests. Even during 2001 Buckovski ordered the Macedonian army to withdraw all heavy weapons like artillery and even had the firing pins removed from many of them so that soldiers on the front would not "overreact".

The best thing that could happen in any future conflict is if Macedonian paramilitaries act independently of the state, while pilfering its armoury as most soldiers do anyway.

[VMRO]

Let's see what happens today first when the Macedonians and Albanians protest in Skopje.

[Volokin]

It is difficult to tell whether these apparently armed groups are just acting hard on Facebook, or whether they are a genuine militia with the capabilities of attacking Macedonian forces. Will we find out in the coming days it seems.

[VMRO]

Thisis important because it is the first ultimatum set. Let's see how this progresses.

So what are the 4 armed formations on Macedonian Soil? Is that just Albanian or Macedonian as well?

Not sure, this was from a Serbian news source, another one would be that Panteri UCK terrorist.

[Volokin]

Thisis important because it is the first ultimatum set. Let's see how this progresses.

So what are the 4 armed formations on Macedonian Soil? Is that just Albanian or Macedonian as well?

[VMRO]

New Albanian "Formation" Threatens Macedonia


New Albanian "Formation" Threatens Macedonia Skopje Liberation Army is the fourth armed formation that announced its presence on the territory of Macedonia since the end of the war in 2001. Photo:botasot.info
Completely new, fourth ethnic Albanian guerrilla formation threatens the Macedonian police, Serbian public broadcaster RTS reports.

Skopje Liberation Army (Ushtria Çlirimtare e Shkupit) threatens that if the six Albanians convicted in the "Monster" case are not set free by Monday, it will start attacking the police.

"If the Albanian prisoners are not freed until July 14, the Liberation Army will take serious steps and will execute massive attacks on the Macedonian police," said the "general headquarters" of the guerrilla formation that presented itself to the public with this communiqué.


Skopje Liberation Army is the fourth armed formation that announced its presence on the territory of Macedonia since the end of the war in 2001 and the dissolution of the National Liberation Army, which was led by Ali Ahmeti and Gëzim Ostreni.

In addition to the Albanian National Army, which ceased to exist after the action of the Macedonian special police forces in the village of Brodec at the end of 2007, the Liberation Army of Ilirida had occasional appearances in the public together with several other groups whose actions did not exceed the scope of the Internet.

The emergence of the Liberation Army of Skopje coincides with the increased tensions in Macedonia that occurred after Skopje court sentenced six Albanians to life in prison for terrorism and the murder of five Macedonians in the case named "Monster".

Informal groups of Albanians organized protest against the court decision via the social networks and last Friday protesters violently clashed with the police in Skopje. More than twenty people were injured in the riots while protesters spread various messages like "We are not terrorists" but also displaying the flag of Al Qaeda.

Albanians held daily protests in several Macedonian cities while support rallies were also held in Tirana and Pristina, where local sport fans burned the Macedonian flag.

An "all-Albanian" protest is scheduled Friday in Skopje and the development of the situation has caused serious divisions and real media war between the Albanians and Macedonians.

[VMRO]

Its a paramilitary group - it has no official status. Its hard to tell whether or not it is connected to any official structures either, but I don't think it is. It's been around for nearly a decade that I know of. It has chapters/branches all over Macedonia. From what I've seen, most members are simple hooligans, but it also has military and police personnel within its ranks. I think Dostoinstvo is a much more serious force (been an association of current and former military and police servicemen), but I doubt that they would operate as a paramilitary organisation, though I think they have the capacity to do so.

I've been hearing about this MOS on and off for a good few years now, are they even active or is it a few guys who put on some black uniforms and pose for photo's.


There hasn't been any concrete evidence that they are active, during the 2001 conflict they were claiming to be fighting but can anyone confirm this?

[Volokin]

Its a paramilitary group - it has no official status. Its hard to tell whether or not it is connected to any official structures either, but I don't think it is. It's been around for nearly a decade that I know of. It has chapters/branches all over Macedonia. From what I've seen, most members are simple hooligans, but it also has military and police personnel within its ranks. I think Dostoinstvo is a much more serious force (been an association of current and former military and police servicemen), but I doubt that they would operate as a paramilitary organisation, though I think they have the capacity to do so.

Thanks.

During the Balkan wars we saw Serbian paramilitary groups having quasi-official contact with the army and police, with the latter even arming some of these groups, would it be similar here?

[Vangelovski]

In terms of the army and the police force, what is the official status of the MOS?

Its a paramilitary group - it has no official status. Its hard to tell whether or not it is connected to any official structures either, but I don't think it is. It's been around for nearly a decade that I know of. It has chapters/branches all over Macedonia. From what I've seen, most members are simple hooligans, but it also has military and police personnel within its ranks. I think Dostoinstvo is a much more serious force (been an association of current and former military and police servicemen), but I doubt that they would operate as a paramilitary organisation, though I think they have the capacity to do so.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Interesting response from Stojance Angelov:

http://maktel.mk/News.aspx?id=8985

Interesting indeed, but appropriately measured I think.

An announcement from MOS - Makedonski Obedineti Sili

http://infomax.mk/wp/?p=11450

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Macedonians began to form their own groups. At least they have the symbolism right. Macedonia keeps going through these phases (tension between Macedonians and ethnic Albanians) where things appear to get serious, only to eventually subside. But this time so-called "leaders" of the ethnic Albanian community are making more noise than usual. It's almost like they're itching to pick a fight, and they have plenty of ignorant followers who have been brainwashed into believing that Macedonians are their greatest enemies.