rrethimi

Rrethimi is a noun in Albanian that denotes the act or process of surrounding a place, typically a fortified town or fortress, with the aim of forcing its surrender. In English, it is commonly translated as “the siege” or “encirclement.” Etymology wise, rrethimi derives from rreth meaning around, with the suffix -im forming a noun of action.

In military history, rrethimi describes a siege operation in which an attacking force surrounds a target to block supplies, prevent reinforcements, and pressure defenders. Typical elements include blockades, bombardment, and the construction of siege works; methods such as mining or sapping may be employed to breach defenses, or negotiations may yield surrender. The outcome can be a breach and capture, a successful relief, or an abandonment of the operation.

Notable occurrences of rrethimi in Albanian history are linked to the Ottoman expansion in the Balkans, including sieges around key centers such as Krujë and Shkodër, where defenders used fortifications and terrain to resist larger forces. In historical writing, the term is used to describe these events and to discuss broader strategic concepts in warfare.

In modern usage, rrethimi can also describe non-military encirclement or perimeter control, such as security or crowd-control operations, and can be used metaphorically to denote isolating a group or area.