Jashari

Jashari is an Albanian surname most closely associated with a prominent Kosovar Albanian family from the Drenica region, particularly the village of Prekaz. The Jashari family became a symbol of resistance during the Kosovo War, and several members were active in the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Adem Jashari (1948–1998) and Hamëz Jashari (1959–1999) are the best-known figures. Adem was a leading commander for KLA forces in the Drenica area and is widely remembered for his role in organizing defense against Yugoslav forces; the assault on the Jashari family compound in Prekaz in March 1998 resulted in heavy casualties and is regarded as a turning point in the conflict. Hamëz, Adem’s brother, also held a leadership role and died in the fighting.

The Jashari name has a lasting legacy in Kosovo. The Prekaz memorial complex preserves the site of the family and is visited as a symbol of the Kosovo Albanian struggle. In 2008, Kosovo renamed its main international airport Adem Jashari International Airport in Pristina in his honor. More broadly, the surname is borne by many Kosovars and Albanian communities, including in the diaspora.