u/Yenakin_4472

The 8th of September Macedonian referendum to leave Yugoslavia is largely boycotted by the Albanian segments of Macedonia and some more extreme elements begin to create armed militias. Following Macedonian independence, the Yugoslav army withdraws leaving behind the Macedonian veterans to serve as the foundations of the Macedonian army. When the Macedonian constitution is drafted, Macedonia is recognised as an explicitly Macedonian nation. In response, local leaders hold a referendum for an independent state for the Albanians in the west of the country, in which they claim there is overwhelming support for the proposal. As such, a "Republic of Ilirida" (portmanteau combining Illyria and Dardania - two ancient names for the region) is declared in Tetovo with Nevzat Halili as president. The government of Macedonia declares the referendum illegal, and the Macedonian army is sent to return the west of the country to pacify the region. However, this army is quite disorganised and also small as most of the Yugoslav military personnel and infrastructure was inherited by Serbia. As such, the armed Albanian militias (alongside support from Albania similar to Serb support in Bosnian War in otl) are able to soundly defeat the Macedonian army. As a result, they are able to enforce borders of the "Greater Ilirida" vision including less Albanian parts of the centre of the country. In the aftermath, there is an exodus of Macedonians from Ilirida similar to the exodus of Serbs from Kosovo in otl.