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The Central Committee of the Northern Epirote Struggle (KEVA; Kentriki Epitropi Voreioepirotikou Agonos: Central; Greek: Κεντρική Επιτροπή Βορειοηπειρωτικού Αγώνα),[1] was an resistance faction composed of ethnic Greeks whose goal was to overthrow the regime of Enver Hoxha and seek the annexation of the Northern Epirus, which is located in southern Albania.
| KEVA | |
|---|---|
| Κεντρική Επιτροπή Βορειοηπειρωτικού Αγώνα | |
 Flag of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus | |
| Leaders | Panteleimon Kotokos (until 1969)[2] Stefanos Venakidhis Nikolaos Pagos Serafeimi-Visarion Tika |
| Foundation | 1943 (during the German occupation of Greece) |
| Dates of operation | World War II–era (during the German occupation of Greece; 1943 Cold War–era; 1948–1958 |
| Motives | Annexation of Northern Epirus |
| Ideology | Greek nationalism Anti-Albanian sentiment Anti–Hoxhaism |
| Size | 7,300 |
| Allies | Western bloc
Non-state allies: |
| Opponents |  Communist Albania
|
| Battles and wars | |
KEVA was established during the World War II where Greece was still occupied by the Axis powers but played its role during the Cold War when the United States and its intelligence agencies attempted to contain the influence of communism in the region. The organization conducted various activities, including gathering information, providing support, and coordinating agent groups in Albania.[3]
- ^ Heraclides, Alexis; Kromidha, Ylli (2023-09-28). Greek-Albanian Entanglements since the Nineteenth Century: A History. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-96375-5.
- ^ Heraclides, Alexis; Kromidha, Ylli (2023-09-28). Greek-Albanian Entanglements since the Nineteenth Century: A History. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-96375-5.
There were various Northern Epirote organisations active in Greece, whose numbers tended to rise through the years. The most important one by far was KEVA (Kentriki Epitropi Voreioepirotikou Agonos: Central Committee of the Northern Epirote Struggle), which had been set up in 1943 during the German occupation and functioned as the central coordinating body of all the Northern Epirus organisations in Greece, save one named Selasforos that retained its independence. KEVA which was based in Athens had regional committees in loannina, Corfu, Thessaloniki and Patras. It was headed by Metropolitan Panteleimon as president until his death in 1969.
- ^ "Zbulohen emrat që dolën kundër regjimit komunist në Shqipëri, Enver Hoxha armatosi të besuarit e tij". Pamfleti. 2018. Retrieved 2023-11-06.