Vlora War

The Vlora War (Albanian: Lufta e Vlorës), also known as the Italian War, was a brief war fought in 1920 between Albania and Italy. It began after Italy, under the Treaty of London (1915) and subsequent secret agreements, attempted to establish a protectorate over Albania. Italian forces had occupied Vlora and surrounding areas since 1914, and their presence fueled Albanian nationalist sentiment.

The war erupted in Vlora, Albania, when local Albanian insurgents, supported by nationalist groups and former Albanian military personnel, launched an armed rebellion against the Italian occupation. The insurgents were initially poorly equipped but were highly motivated to liberate their territory. Key figures leading the Albanian resistance included Osman Haxhiu, Mehmet Murati, and Qazim Koculi.

The fighting was fierce and primarily concentrated in the Vlora region. Albanian forces employed guerrilla tactics, ambushing Italian patrols and disrupting supply lines. The Italians, initially overconfident and facing logistical challenges, struggled to maintain control. The Albanians also benefited from the mountainous terrain.

Several factors contributed to the Italian defeat. These included a lack of public support for the war in Italy, war weariness following World War I, and the growing strength and determination of the Albanian resistance. The Italian government, facing internal pressure, eventually decided to negotiate a withdrawal.

The war ended with the Albanian victory and the expulsion of Italian forces from Vlora. The Treaty of Tirana, signed in August 1920, officially recognized Albanian independence and revoked Italy's claims to a protectorate. While Italy maintained some economic influence in Albania, the Vlora War marked a significant milestone in the country's struggle for national liberation and helped solidify its sovereignty. The war is considered a symbol of Albanian resistance against foreign occupation. The war did not resolve all territorial disputes between Albania and its neighbors, but it was a crucial victory for Albanian self-determination.