SIGURIMI COUNTER MEASURES AGAINST RESISTANCE IN THE NORTHERN AREAS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003300280008-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2005
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 2, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003300280008-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
25X1 to or receipt by an unauthorized person I. prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
Sigurimii Counter Measures Against
Resistance in the Northern Areas
25X1
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
25X1
2. February 1954
1
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25X11. The most active areas of resistance since the Communists came into power in
Albania have been in Mirdite and Kruje. Although there are still some resistance
groups,, most of them are newer elements since the older members of 1949-50
have either been liquidated or have fled to Yugoslavia,
2. The Pursuit Division of the Sigurimi has its operational headquarters as well as
its barracks and animal transport at Shpal in Mirdite. There are detached com-
panies distributed throughout Mirdite as well as in other districts of Albania.
The Division strength in Mirdite is estimated to be about 1,,000.
3. One of the chief' difficulties of the resistance groups is the food supply since
food is always difficult to find even for the local population, One member of
such a group stated that on one occasion he had to visit as many as fifteen
houses before he could find enough bread to spare. Another difficulty is the
question of shelter, In the summer members of the resistance groups may find
shelter in the mountains if they are lucky; however,, in the winter they must
seek shelter in houses. During both periods houses and caves in the mountains
are systematically checked by the Siguurimi.
Another means of enforcement used by the Sigurimi are informants. Even in Mirdite
where clan loyalty is very strong, they are still able to find informants. The
Sigurimi work on the principal that one of every five persons must be an informant
and they make every effort to reach that goal. The informants are obtained
either among the very young who are forced into this work by fear, among prisoners
who have been tortured into signing an agreement to work for the Sigurimi, or
among others who have been intimidated by threats of liquidation either to
themselves or their families:
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Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003300280008-7