Summary

This text presents the story of Jashar Haxha, an Albanian resistance fighter from Rugova, Kosovo, who opposed Serbian military forces in 1921. Despite severe injuries, he resisted a full battalion for twelve hours, reportedly killing 32 soldiers. Through strategic deception, he attempted to evade capture but was ultimately taken prisoner and executed. His legacy endures as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and national resistance.

Historical context and significance

Jashar Haxha was an Albanian patriot and resistance fighter who was martyred in 1921 in Drelaj, Rugova of Peje killed by Serbian military forces. In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of his heroic fall, a memorial plaque was placed in Drelaj, in a ceremony attended by the mayor of Peć and other local officials.

During the Albanian National Renaissance, as well as during Serbian rule, Rugova played an important role in the resistance of the Albanian population to repressions, persecutions and deportations.

Jashar Haxha was part of this resistance – known as a local hero who showed courage and perseverance, sacrificing his life to protect the dignity and rights of his people. Rugova has always been an area known for its strong spirit of resistance, and figures like Jashar Haxha are part of its historical memory and pride.

Battle

Jashar Haxha resisted the 1st Serbian military battalion from 5 am to 5:12 pm, killing 32 Serbian soldiers until he ran out of bullets. This is an unheard of story in Kosovo.

Rrustemi, another Albanian fighter, 18 years old, was killed in the sheepfold at Osman Rrustemi’s stable, in front of his father, while Jashar Haxha, with a fracture in his right leg and surviving on one leg and a rifle he was holding, managed to reach Ali Adem’s meadow, where he removed his skullcap.

There he buried him in a ditch and himself went about 500 meters away, so that the Serbian Battalion would attack the Jarmulluk, thinking it was was Jashari. until they had riddles it with bullets and their ammunition was exhausted, they captured him and shot him in the snow.

Sources

Information gathered from relatives.