Besim Mala

Besim Mala (14 August 1971 – 17 April 2000) was one of the most well known commandants of Kosovo Liberation Army and the first Commander of the Special Force in the Kosovo Protection Corps, who was killed under suspicious circumstances as part of a killing series in the early 2000s.

Throughout 1998 and 1999, Mala served as the Commander of the Special Unit "Black Tigers" (Albanian: Tigrat e Zi) of the KLA-Drenica Operational Zone. He quickly became known for his strategic acumen and bravery in combat. His leadership was particularly noted during several key engagements, where he coordinated ambushes and direct confrontations with Serbian military and police units. Some of the significant battles he was involved in included operations in Rezallë and Morinë, and particularly along the Drenas-Skenderaj axis, where he led surprise attacks against Serbian forces.

His death and the following serial assassinations and suspicious deaths of former key-figures of the KLA, like Tahir Zemaj or Ekrem Rexha in the early 2000s after the Kosovo War, remain an unsolved enigma in the early history of Kosovo under International Administration.

Legacy Besim Mala, widenly known by his nom de guerre "Komandant Murrizi," is remembered as a key figure of the KLA and a symbol of Kosovo's fight for independence. His leadership of the elite "Tigrat e Zi" (Black Tigers) unit during the Kosovo War showcased his commitment to the cause of Kosovo independence. Mala's daring actions and surprise attacks against enemy forces made him a respected figure.

He is admired by his comrades and among Kosovar Albanians. Mala's contributions are commemorated annually, emphasizing his role in shaping the spirit of resistance during Kosovo's most challenging times.