WWII Figures Spark Division in North Macedonia

Why this is here: Statues to Balli Kombetar commanders Xheme Hasa and Aqif Krosi were erected in Simnica and Recani, respectively, with support from local Albanian politicians, despite accusations of historical revisionism.

In North Macedonia, statues honoring Balli Kombetar fighters like Xheme Hasa and Aqif Krosi are appearing in western municipalities, creating tension. While the state officially celebrates the Partisan legacy of WWII, these monuments acknowledge a different side of the conflict. Historian Aleksandar Litovski notes a reluctance to openly discuss these contested historical narratives, leading communities to maintain separate interpretations.

The Balli Kombetar was an Albanian nationalist movement active during the Italian occupation, seeking unification of Albanian-populated lands and clashing with both Partisans and, later, Nazis. Macedonian historiography typically views the group as collaborators, while some Albanians see them as resisting both communism and Yugoslav rule. The 2001 conflict between Macedonian forces and Albanian insurgents briefly revived fears of secessionist aims linked to the Balli Kombetar’s historical goals.

Fatmir Lumani, an Albanian historian, points to instances of cooperation between Albanians and Macedonians throughout history, such as shared liberation movements from Ottoman rule. However, bridging the gap between narratives remains difficult, particularly as politics increasingly controls how history is remembered. The work of reconciliation continues as historians seek to understand a complex past.