SUMMARY

[Note to reader: this Country page primarily contains brief information about state-based violence during the period 1946–1974, and to some extent 1975–1988. For more detailed information on organized violence after 1989, please consult the specific Conflict and Dyad pages available on the left-hand side of this page. These pages contain (when applicable) more detailed information regarding all three categories of organized violence in this country from 1989 and onward, as well as detailed information about state-based violence 1975–1988. The left-hand side menu also contains links to Actor pages for all groups involved in organized violence since 1989 in this country, as well as actors involved in state-based violence 1975–1988.]

After centuries of Ottoman rule, Albania gained independence upon the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the First Balkan War in 1913. At an international conference the same year, the European powers recognized the independence of Albania. However, large parts of the territory inhabited by Albanians were accorded to neighboring states, as was, for example, the Kosovo region. After a period of occupation in the Second World War lasting until 1944, the Albanian Socialist Party under the leadership of Enver Hoxha consolidated its power in the country. Hoxha ruled Albania until his death in 1985.

In 1946, an interstate conflict between Albania and the United Kingdom (UK) broke out over the status of the Corfu Channel, located between the Albanian coast and the Greek island of Corfu. The UK claimed that the channel formed a route for international maritime traffic. As such, all ships would be granted free passage through the waterway according to international law. Albania argued that the narrow strait was no international highway but part of Albanian territorial waters and that the British were not allowed to enter it without Albanian permission.

In October 1946, two British destroyers were on their way through the Corfu Channel and struck several mines. The explosion caused the death of naval personnel.

At the suggestion of the UN Security Council, the dispute was brought before the International Court of Justice. The court ruled that the channel was an international highway through which passage could not be prohibited by a coastal state in times of peace. It concluded that the laying of the minefield happened by, or with the knowledge of, the Albanian government that failed to notify its existence as would have been required by international law. Thus, Albania was found responsible for the deaths of the naval personnel and was condemned to pay compensation for the loss suffered.

In the 2000s, Albania provided secondary warring support to the government of Afghanistan against the Taleban. Albanian troops also backed the Iraqi government in the intrastate conflict that started in 2004.

Since 1946 Albania has experienced the interstate category of UCDP organized violence.