27 YEARS SINCE THE END OF THE BATTLE OF KOŠARE – SYMBOL OF YOUNG SOLDIERS’ HEROISM

BELGRADE, JUNE 14 /SRNA/ – The Battle of Košare, one of the most difficult battles in modern Serbian history, ended 27 years ago today and is regarded as a symbol of the heroism, sacrifice, and resilience of the young soldiers who defended their country's territory under unequal conditions.

The battle at the Košare border post on the Yugoslav-Albanian border lasted 67 days and began on April 9, 1999. A total of 108 soldiers were killed in the defence of their homeland. The battle is considered the largest in modern Serbian history, in which just over 1,000 Serbian soldiers, lacking sufficient ammunition, defended their homeland against attacking forces numbering between 5,000 and 6,000 Albanians and their supporters. Most of the Serbian forces at Košare consisted of conscript soldiers with an average age of 19 to 20. Serb volunteers from abroad, as well as Cossacks, also took part in the battle. The attack was fierce and caught the Yugoslav Army by surprise. The Kosovo Liberation Army /KLA/ captured the border post but failed to penetrate deeper into Kosovo and Metohija, which had been the main offensive’s objective. This border zone was of crucial importance because it represented a potential corridor for a ground incursion by KLA militants from Albanian territory into Kosovo and Metohija. The Armed Forces of Albania also took part in the attack on Košare, providing artillery support to the militants on the ground, while aircraft of the North Atlantic Alliance continuously conducted reconnaissance missions, bombed Yugoslav Army positions, and adjusted artillery fire. A ceremonial gathering marking the anniversary of the Battle of Košare will be held this evening on the main stage of the National Theatre.