24 years after Sandokan's heroic fall

Abednego Rexha was a fighter of the first ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army, bold and fearless to the death, for which and his associates called it “Sandokan”

He was born on July 8, 1969, in Vajnik, the municipality of Scikyright.

The primary school was conducted in Turicec, the high school in Skenderaj, while he continued his studies at the Xehetar-Meterlugic Faculty in Mitrovica. During high schooling, Skenderaj came into contact with illegal activists. At the time, he was associated with Jakup Nura and Nuhi Gecin, with whom he was already organised and often distributed Thracians and posters, calling for resistance against the Serb-Slav invaders.

Because the conqueror had traced to Abednego's activity by 1992, he makes his way into exile. In autumn 1996, he returns to Kosovo, charged with specific tasks, and holds a meeting with Commander Adem Jashar. He enters and leaves Kosovo many times. On May 6, 1997, Abedini along with Fehmi Lrudrovci, Xheva Laldrovcin, Luan Haradinaj, Ilaz Kodra, Ramiz Lrudrovci etc, passes to the Albanian Alps. On the way, this group of fighters stands in ambush of Serbian forces, and after a fierce fight and the heroic fall of Luan Haradinaj, is forced to pull off the border.

Two months later, in July 1997, Abednego Rexha along with Adrian Krasniqi, Ilaz Kodra, Ilir Konushevci and other freedom fighters manage to penetrate Kosovo and work hard at expanding and consolidating the ranks of the KLA.

On November 25th 1997, Serbian police went to Vajnik to arrest Abednego Raja Sandokani. Abednego and his two brothers, Brahim and Affliction, and other warriors, had confronted Serb gangs and had attacked them. Two Serbian police officers were liquidated in this attack, while during this clash, Serbian forces had injured Baki Krasniqi, 11.

On November 26, 1997, the legendary commander Adem Jashari's KLA had ordered to ambush Serb forces at the site called Klysira in New Rezalla. Along with Adem Jashar and Abednego Regha were lined up in positions and Muje Krasniqi, Ilaz Kodra, Nuhi Geci and many brave warriors.

The enemy's plan had begun to take effect. But in the early hours of the day, Serbian forces were found surrounded. During the withdrawal, Serbs had shot to death teacher Halit Geci, in the yard of the Larusha school. And, on November 28th 1997, on the occasion of the funeral of teachers Halit Geci in Lyusa, Muje Krasniqi with his friends Rexhep Selimi and Daut Haradinaj, being armed publicly declared the start of the liberation war in Kosovo, presenting itself before the move assembled in Kosovo Liberation Army uniform.

During 1998, the Liberation War continued to expand rapidly, and Abednego Rexha could not contain anger against the invaders, who ruthlessly slaughtered children, women, men, and elders, and burned the homes of Albanians.

In early August 1998, General Staff KLA, Abednego Raja had been appointed Commander of Brigade 112 “Arben Haliti” in the Drenica Operative Zone.

During August-September 1998, commander “Sandocan” fought fearlessly in many battlefields. And just at the peak of the widespread assaults of the Serbian forces, in all operational areas of the KLA, and especially at ZO Drenica on October 8, 1998, Commander Abednego Rexha “Sandocan”, killed in the forests of the Sskunaw village of Klodernica.

Abednego Rex has left his wife with two children behind: Sokoli and Selveten. His heroism has perpetuated many scriptures in our press, in song and poetry, while the school of Turicec proudly bears his name. /K