ILIJA IS ONE OF THE BEST SECRET SPECIALIST IN THE WORLD: He goes where NO ONE DARES (PHOTO)

He started as a gatekeeper in the Skopje cafes and casinos, he rose to the head of Israel's prestigious Academy instructor for the protection of VIPs and counter terrorism (International Security Academy – ISA).  He was trained for special operations in the US and UK, in Israel he is greatly appreciated, and respected by Arabs since the Palestinian territories trained Abbas's elite presidential guard. This would be brief description of turbulent biography of Ilija Ilieva (44), born in Skopje, Macedonian, who has dedicated his life to a very dangerous profession - protecting the lives of other people.

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Along with the work on securing Skopje cafes, discos and casinos, and later as a bodyguard of prominent figures in Macedonia, Ilija has studied assiduously. He graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, married, had children, but he always wanted to do more and better. He did not picture himself as an ordinary family man, clean-shaven engineers who, groomed every morning, goes to work. He needed something more attractive, more dangerous, fierce. 

The loved a life as a bodyguard while he was educated in Skopje, with a lot of hard work, sacrifice, sweat and blood, and a series of training camps for special forces intelligence services in the US and UK, he has risen to the very top of the profession. He became the chief instructor and the first foreigner and one of the best in the world, for the Agency for Protection of VIPs and counter-terrorism, the Israeli ISA.

Today he lives in Herzeliji, base near Tel Aviv, where the headquarters of the Academy of ISA are, and all instructors are mostly former members of the Mossad itself, Shabaka and Sih Bet Israel Security Agency.

Foto: D. Joksić

Because of his expertise, skills and political indifference, Ilija enjoys great trust and respect among the Israelis. They find him to be one of the best bodyguards who lives and works in the Gaza Strip. That's why they hired him to train elite guard of the Palestine president Mahmud Abbas in the high risk Gaza Strip, which is in conflict with Hamas terrorists.

- Since i am not Israeli, and i have the knowledge and the title, i know Hebrew and Arabian language, it would be politically the most correct to accept the job. Considering that the Gaza strip is under Hamas control, Abbas bodyguards are basically working undercover, unarmed and not contacting with anybody. It was the greatest challenge to work in these kind of conditions and to provide efficient protection to the president and VIP's that come in official visit to the Gaza strip. There were trust issues at first , but in time, everything sorted out when they realized i am pure professional, without any political prejudices, said Ilija.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

The Macedonians, who was on the other side of the sword - the Palestinians, noted that both Arabs and Israelis, are excellent fighters, grateful for the work and training, because just like the Balkans, they carry the impulse and instinct for self-preservation.

Whey you hear this from a man that trained the FBI agents with ISA teams, US SWAT teams, Secret Service, who guards American president, members of the Blackwater - the greatest agency that provides security services, he is to be trusted.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

Besides working as a chief instructor in the Israeli ISA Academy, Ilija is engaged when important people come. He was often in Gaza and Palestine in the security of former USA and Britain presidents, Jimmy Carter and Tony Blair, UN presidents, Ban Ki Mun, Havier Solana, Karl Bild, Palestine president Abbu Mazen... 

He often put his head in a bag, and as Ilija said, "It's all part of our job, no matter how dangerous," and adds that "only psychologically and physically ready and stable person is willing to work."

Foto: D. Joksić

Knowing Israeli martial art Krav Maga, developed and perfected by Mosad experts, is greatly helping Ilija in his work.

- This skill can be learned quickly, easily applied, is an aggressive, combative and lethal, explains Elias, who is a master of martial arts.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

He told us a few things that he mandatory reserves while securing the VIPs. At those times, he doesn't eat food he did not made himself, nor he drinks any liquid.

- If anyone wants to cripple me, it is easily done over food or drinks. That's why we have the rule never to take anything from the side.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

He is also the owner of the Academy of counter-terrorism and VIP protection, which is located in Skopje. He trains the international team there, and many of his students are now working around the world. He holds specialized seminars in Serbia, Kula.

- Not everyone can be a good bodyguard. Students must master many skills and harden themselves for difficult tasks.Our training includes training on polygons, entry techniques, the attacks, the elimination of assassins, resolving hostage situations and more. The bodyguard must be physically fit, mentally stable, knows martial arts, the art of unarmed combat, all defensive and offensive tactics, driving a car and providing first aid help. More than 99 percent of the training is practice, and everything you learn is learned through practice. Those are the basics bodyguard needs. It is important to act, not to theorize, explains Iliev.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

The training at the Academy were passed by Sword Security teams, which secure the oil rigs in Nigeria, SAS members, bodyguards in many countries of Europe and Africa, as well as the members of the special army services and police in the region. His Academy is responsible for training personnel of the United Nations, European Union, OSCE, and he has trained "gorillas" of famous Serbian businessmen and people from the entertainment industry, but for their security he did not want to reveal their identity.

(Telegraf.co.uk / D.J.)