Vasfije Krasniqi, a survivor of sexual violence during the last war in Kosovo, has recalled the tragic events of April 14, 1999, as well as the moment of hope when she saw the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters.
Krasniqi described the KLA fighters as saviors and protectors of the people.
“After what I went through on April 14, 1999, there was little or no hope for me. Surrounded entirely by Serbian forces, I did not believe I would survive. As a victim, I felt broken and powerless. In that dark time, when everything seemed lost, the fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army appeared. I will never forget that moment! They offered me first aid, cared for me with the little they had, and protected my life and health. For me, for us, the KLA was not just a military force — they were saviors, protectors of the people who placed their bodies as shields to protect ours. They gave their lives so that we could continue ours. I will never forget those days! They will remain forever in my memory as the moments when I felt my life safeguarded by theirs. Eternal gratitude to the Kosovo Liberation Army!”, Krasniqi wrote.
Her testimony highlights the enduring pain of survivors and the role of the KLA as a symbol of protection during Kosovo’s struggle for freedom.
