Today marks 27 years since the second attack by Serbian forces on the Jashari family in Prekaz, a pivotal event in Kosovo’s history. On January 22, 1998, in the early hours of the morning, Serbian police forces advanced from the Hunting Ammunition Factory, located roughly 500 meters from the Jashari family homes, toward the Jashari Tower, armed with a variety of weaponry.
At the time of the attack, Adem Jashari, the legendary commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), was not at home. Resistance was led by Shaban and Hamza Jashari, along with their nephews and nieces, who bravely defended their family and home.
A Prelude to the March 5th Massacre
This attack was a precursor to the third and final assault on the Jashari family, which occurred on March 5, 1998. Over three days of fierce fighting, 59 members of the Jashari family, including women and children, lost their lives in an act of heroic resistance. Among those who fell was Adem Jashari, whose leadership and sacrifice became a symbol of Kosovo’s struggle for liberation.
The events in Prekaz are etched deeply in Kosovo’s collective memory, representing both the immense sacrifices made for freedom and the resilience of a nation determined to achieve independence.
