Special Operations.Com

Albania

Special Operations and Counterterrorist Forces

Reparti i Eleminimit dhe Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur (RENEA) 

Albania's primary CT unit is RENEA, under the command of the Ministry of Interior. This unit was formerly equipped with Chinese AK-47's and TT33 Tokarev pistols. Now they have two platoon-sized units, which are trained by the regular Italian police (not the elite NOCS unit).  Reparti i Eleminimit dhe Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur (RENEA) means the 'corps of elimination and the neutralization of armed elements'.  This unit was founded in November 1991 under the code name "88".  The current commander is Major Artan Didi.  This unit is armed with Armed by different types of AK47, tt33, Makarov and Beretta 92 pistols!  They also have a variety of Western modern assault guns and Israeli body armor.  Since 1991, RENEA has lost three men in action, however they are reported to have one of the highest OPTEMPOs (frequency of deployments) in all of Europe. 

Reparti i Operacioneve Speciale (ROS)

ROS is another counterterrorist unit, this one administrated by British SAS operators.  Founded in February 2000 and code named "77", this unit also falls under the Ministry of the Interior and is based in Durres.  This unit also has intelligence duties and is used primarily against organized crime elements.  They use a mix of Western and Warsaw Pact weapons and its trainees undergo a particularly rigorous selection program. 

Shqiponjat - "The Eagles"

There is a new police antiterrorist, quick intervention group called "Shqiponjat" ("The Eagles"). They have Makarov, Tokarev and different types of Western pistols and revolvers, sequestered during there operations.  Chinese 56 Kalashnikov-type, H&K PSG, and Dragunov.  The uniforms are Turkish and used DDR uniforms also. 

Garda Kombetare - National Guards

The Garda Kombetare is also under the Ministry of the Interior, however it is not a true special operations unit.  It is included here due to its specialized missions.  Its mission is to protect VIPs and important government buildings, such as the Parliament.  Their functions include acting as bodyguards, armed intervention, facility security, and logistics.  This unit is made up of conscripted soldiers, and not volunteers. They are armed with AK56,  tt33, and Dragunov sniper rifles.  Their uniforms are those of the Soviet Cavalry and their current commander is Colonel Hile Lushaku.

Naval Commandos

The Albanian Navy maintains a small commando unit as well, but it has been reported that the training of this unit does not involve a CT mission.

Forzat e Nderhyrjes se Shpejte (FNSH)

There are 12 FNSH groups throughout Albania.  Albania is divided into 14 districts called prefectures. There is one FNSH group assigned to 11 of these prefectures.  The prefectures of Peshkopia and Durres have no FNSH, while the capital city of Itana has two FNSH groups assigned to it. One of them is "Brisku" ("the sharp knife").  These teams are utilized primarily in the war against crime within the prefecture to which they are assigned, and thus have a very high OPTEMPO.  RENEA is used instead of FNSH in situations where a standoff situation has developed, such as in a barricaded suspect.  Brisku is used for currency and financial escort, the capture of dangerous fuguitves, and the escort of violent prisoners. FNSH has been credited with the successful elimination of many armed criminal gangs that plagued Albanian streets.  These teams use Western weapons, however it has been reported that their operators prefer the AK56 and TT33.  Sniper elements use the Dragunov sniper rifle in addition to various Western sniper rifles.  All units are equipped with advanced day and night optics.  The overall FNSH commander is Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Elmazi.   

Additionally, every police commisariate has a SWAT group called Grupi i Gatshem (ready group) and the Shqiponjat quick intervention patrol (listed above).

Commando Brigade

The Albanian Army's Commando Brigade is based at Zall-Herr in Tirana.  They are trained by American Special Forces and Turkish commandos and provide security for the port of Durres, serving as military police.

 Special Thanks to P.Z.Nili

For more information on Albania, check here.