Fier uprising | |||||||
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Part of History of Albania and Interwar period | |||||||
Riza Cerova, one of the member of the Uprising | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Anti-Zogist rebel | Albanian Kingdom | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Riza Cerova † Costa Chekrezi |
Ahmet Zogu Gustav Mirdashi | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Royal Albanian Army | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
Approximately 500 insurgents | Around 3,000 troops | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
56 killed | 28 killed |
The Fier uprising or Fier uprising of 1935 was a significant armed rebellion in Albania,[1] occurring in the Fier District in the south of the country. It was primarily a response to the policies and rule of King Zog I, who had been in power since 1928. The uprising was sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with Zog's increasingly autocratic governance, economic difficulties, and a lack of political freedoms.[2]
King Zog I had consolidated power in Albania through a series of constitutional changes, declaring himself king[3][4] and ruling with an authoritarian style.[5] His policies favored the wealthy elite and large landowners, which alienated many rural Albanians, especially in southern regions like Fier.[6] Additionally, economic hardships during the Great Depression further fueled discontent among the population.[7]
The revolt began on August 15, 1935, when a group of army officers and civilians, dissatisfied with Zog's rule, initiated an armed rebellion in the district of Fier.[8] The rebels sought to overthrow the king and establish a more democratic government. The uprising was relatively well-organized and gained support from various segments of society, including some military units and peasant communities.[9]
Despite the initial momentum, the uprising was quickly suppressed by King Zog's forces. The government responded with a heavy hand, deploying loyal military units to crush the rebellion. By August 17, the uprising had been defeated, and many of the leaders were captured and executed, while others were imprisoned or fled the country