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Capture of Pristina

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The Capture of Pristina (Albanian: Pushtimi i Prishtinës) was a pivotal event during the Albanian revolt of 1912, it involved the entry of Albanian rebels into the former capital of the Kosovo vilayet.

Capture of Pristina
Part of Albanian revolt of 1912
Date21–22 July 1912
Location
Priştine, Kosovo Vilayet, now Kosovo
Result

Albanian victory

Belligerents
Albanian rebels  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Hasan Prishtina
Bajram Curri		 Ismail Fazıl Pasha  Surrendered
Units involved
 Ottoman Garrison
Strength
10,000-12,000 rebels 60,000 soldiers

Background

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Siege of Peja

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In Peja, a fierce uprising unfolded as Xhafer Tajari valiantly resisted, though Turkish forces eventually broke through, forcing rebels towards Rugova and Plava. Despite setbacks, Albanian morale remained resilient.[2]

Battle of Prush Pass

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Bajram Curri's Krasniqi tribe secured a crucial victory at Prush Pass in Has, scattering four Turkish battalions.[3][4] The Turks, misled about rebel intentions, returned to Gjakova demoralized. This triumph not only lifted spirits but also prompted dissatisfied officers to express opposition to the Young Turk regime, sympathizing with the Albanian cause.[5]

Capture

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Within the space of a few days, over 10,000-12,000 rebels converged outside Pristina,[6][7] determined to claim the town. Forces from Gjilan, Kaçanik, Prizren, and Tetova strategically secured positions.[8]

Facing military preparations from the Pristina garrison, a daring act unfolded at the telegraph office. A group of Albanian men from Pristina confronted Ismail Fazıl Pasha,[9] shoving a pistol into his mouth and threatening him to sign an order prohibiting the Ottoman army in the trenches from resisting if the Albanian rebels attempted to take the town. This decisive move not only avoided the risk of bloody conflict but also facilitated a seamless transition of Priştine into the epicenter of the rebellion, with the enthusiastic participation of the town's populace swelling the rebel ranks to 30,000.[10]

Aftermath

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The fall of Pristina put the entire Vilayet of Kosovo under the control of the rebels, Panic spread in Istanbul and leading to the resignation of Grand Vizier Said Pasha.[11] Kâmil Pasha formed a new cabinet, initiating negotiations with Albanian leaders.[12][13]

In August 1912, less than a month after the Albanian rebels captured Pristina, they marched to Üskup and seized it, ending the Albanian revolt of 1912.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Elsie, Robert; Destani, Bejtullah D. (2018-01-30). Kosovo, A Documentary History: From the Balkan Wars to World War II. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-78672-354-3. the fall of Prishtina put the whole vilayet of Kosovo in our hands.
  2. ^ "1921 | Hasan Bey Prishtina: Brief Memoir on the Albanian Uprising of 1912". www.albanianhistory.net. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  3. ^ Historia e popullit shqiptar në katër vëllime: Rilindja kombëtare : vitet 30 të shek. XIX-1912 (in Albanian). Botimet Toena. 2002. ISBN 978-99927-1-623-6.
  4. ^ "Kosova - janar-nëntor 1912". www.enver-hoxha.net. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  5. ^ Elsie, Robert; Destani, Bejtullah D. (2018-01-30). Kosovo, A Documentary History: From the Balkan Wars to World War II. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78672-354-3.
  6. ^ Pepo, Petraq (1962). Kujtime nga lëvizja për çlirimin kombetar (1878-1912) (in Albanian). Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës, Instituti i Historisë e Gjuhësisë.
  7. ^ Curri, Bajram (1982). Bajram Curri: trajtesa e dokumente (in Albanian). Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH, Instituti i Historisë.
  8. ^ "ROLI DHE KONTRIBUTI I HASAN PRISHTINËS NË ORGANIZIMIN E KRYENGRITJES SË PËRGJITHSHME TË VITIT 1912 – Dielli | The Sun". 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  9. ^ "Kosova - janar-nëntor 1912". www.enver-hoxha.net. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  10. ^ "Kosova - janar-nëntor 1912". www.enver-hoxha.net. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  11. ^ Elsie, Robert; Destani, Bejtullah D. (2018-01-30). Kosovo, A Documentary History: From the Balkan Wars to World War II. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78673-354-2.
  12. ^ "1921 | Hasan Bey Prishtina: Brief Memoir on the Albanian Uprising of 1912". www.albanianhistory.net. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  13. ^ Pepo, Petraq (1962). Kujtime nga lëvizja për çlirimin kombetar (1878-1912) (in Albanian). Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës, Instituti i Historisë e Gjuhësisë.
  14. ^ Phillips, John (2004). "The rise of Albanian nationalism". Macedonia: warlords and rebels in the Balkans. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-86064-841-0. An Albanian uprising in Kosovo for independent schools in May 1912 led to capture of Skopje by rebels in August
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