Sali Çekaj (22 June 1956 – 19 April 1999) was an

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

commander of the Armed Force of Republic of Kosovo (FARK) and

Kosovo Liberation Army The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA; , UÇK) was an ethnic Albanian separatist militia that sought the separation of Kosovo, the vast majority of which is inhabited by Albanians, from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and Serbia during the ...

(KLA) and activist of Albanian Nation. He was killed in action on 19 April 1999 at the

Battle of Košare The Battle of Košare ( sr, Битка на Кошарама, Bitka na Košarama; sq, Beteja e Kosharës) was fought during the Kosovo War between the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslav Forces and the Kosovo Liberatio ...

, during the fighting with Yugoslav forces. Sali Çekaj was the first commander of the first-two military groups that had conducted military exercises between 1990 and 1991 in Albania. Part of those groups were also Adem Jashari and

Zahir Pajaziti Zahir Pajaziti (1 November 1962 – 31 January 1997) was an Albanian commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). He was the first Commander of the KLA, known as "First Gun of Freedom". He was killed on 31 January 1997 in a gunfight with Yug ...

. Sali Çekaj since 1991 organized guerrilla attacks on Serbian police stations in many villages in the Dukagjini region. He was also one of the main commanders of the

. He took part also at Battle of Lodja and several battles in the Dukagjini region during the

Kosovo War The Kosovo War was an armed conflict in Kosovo that started 28 February 1998 and lasted until 11 June 1999. It was fought by the forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (i.e. Serbia and Montenegro), which controlled Kosovo before the war ...

. After his death, he was given the decoration

Hero of Kosovo Hero of Kosovo ( sq, Urdhri Hero i Kosovës) is an official Orders, decorations, and medals of Kosovo, order in Kosovo. It is awarded by the President of Kosovo. Award "Hero of Kosovo" is a state decoration given to historical figures of Kosov ...

. He was also honored with "The Flag" of

Capitol Hill Capitol Hill, in addition to being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C., stretching easterly in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues. It is one of the ...

as the

National Hero The title of Hero is presented by various governments in recognition of acts of self-sacrifice to the state, and great achievements in combat or labor. It is originally a Soviet-type honor, and is continued by several nations including Belarus, Ru ...

of Kosovo with approval of US senators. Sali Çekaj was the leader of Dukagjini region and with Adem Jashari as the leader of the Drenica region and Zahir Pajaziti the leader of Llapi region, co-operated in guerrilla attacks on Serbian police stations since 1992. Because of his national activity he had difficulty staying in Kosovo and was persecuted by Serbian police. Even so, he never stopped working and fighting for his country to become free and independent. Because of his early national activities during the Kosovo War he had the nickname Veterani (the Veteran).

References

{{reflist Kosovo Liberation Army soldiers Military personnel from Peja 1956 births 1999 deaths