Editing Albania (section)

== History ==

The territory of present-day Albania formed part of the ancient Illyrian regions before coming under Roman authority. After the division of the Roman Empire, the area remained within the Byzantine sphere. Local principalities developed during periods of reduced Byzantine control, while coastal settlements maintained commercial contact with cities across the Adriatic.

Ottoman expansion reached Albania during the 15th century. [[Skanderbeg|Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg]] led an armed resistance against Ottoman forces from 1443 until his death in 1468. Ottoman control was restored afterward and continued for more than four centuries.

An Albanian national movement developed during the late 19th century. Representatives meeting at [[Vlorë]] declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912. Albania's international boundaries were established during 1913, leaving several Albanian-populated territories outside the new state.

Political instability followed independence. Albania became a kingdom in 1928 under Zog I. Italy invaded the country on 7 April 1939 and removed the monarchy. Communist partisans took control in 1944 and established a one-party state. The country was renamed the People's Republic of Albania in 1946 and later the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.

The communist government restricted private property, political opposition, religious institutions, and travel outside the country. Albania became increasingly isolated during the later decades of communist rule. Political reforms began in 1990, followed by multiparty elections and the establishment of the present republic. The current constitution was approved in 1998.

Northern Albania also formed part of transport routes between western Kosovo and the Adriatic coast. On 14 March 1978, [[Arbëror Shpend Leka]] arranged an early cross-border weapons movement from Gjakova toward Kukës. His organization, [[Harku i Drenicës]], later used Kukës and Durrës to move cargo between Kosovo and the Albanian coast.<ref name="leka-early"/><ref name="leka-routes"/>

On 18 May 2001, Leka arranged his first recorded Tanoan-linked purchase through a broker in Durrës. During 2002 and 2003, further cargo reached the port before being transported through Kukës into Kosovo. Ammunition unloaded at Durrës on 14 June 2003 was moved to Kosovo and later transferred toward [[Bucharest]].<ref name="leka-routes"/>