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List of massacres in Kosovo

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This is a list of massacres that happened in Kosovo throughout history.

Ottoman period

See also: Massacres of Albanians in the Balkan Wars
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
1878 attacks 1878 Kosovo vilayet Albanian refugees Serbs Incoming Albanian refugees to Kosovo who were expelled by the Serb army from the Sanjak of Niș were involved in revenge attacks and hostile actions to the local Serb population.[1]
1898–1899 attacks 1898-1899 Old Serbia Albanians Serbs [2]
1901 massacres of Serbs 1901 Pristina and Ibarski Kolašin Albanians Serbs [3]
Takeover of Pristina ~23 October 1912 Pristina 5,000[4] Serbian army Albanians First Balkan War[5]
Takeover of Ferizaj 24 October 1912 Ferizaj 1,200 Serbian army Albanians First Balkan War[6][7][8]
Takeover of Prizren 1912 Prizren 5,000[9] Serbian and Montenegrin armies Albanians First Balkan War
Leshkobare massacre 1912 Lloshkobare 8 Serbian army Albanians First Balkan War[6]
Torching of Bobaj 1912 Bobaj Serbian army Albanians All inhabitants of Bobaj were killed.[7]
Extermination of Opoja and Restelica 1912–1913 Opoja and Restelica thousands Serbian army Albanians Serbian troops were ordered to exterminate the population of the villages of Opoja, Gora, Bellobrad, Brrut, Rrenc, Bresanë, Zym and Qafëleshi.[citation needed]
Razing of Peja 1912–1913 Peja Serbian army and Chetniks Albanians [10][11][12]
Nashec massacre March 1913 Village of Nashec, near Prizren 28 Serbian army Albanians 28 Albanians were killed and massacred by the Serbian army.[13]
Massacre of the Bytyçi tribe 1913 Highlands of Gjakova 51 Serbian army Albanians First Balkan War[14]
Massacre of the Rugova tribe 1913 Rugova Montenegrin army Albanians Every man of the Rugova tribe was reportedly killed.[15]
Vucitrn killings 1913 Vushtrri Serbian army Albanians [16]
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World War I

See also: Massacres of Albanians in World War I and Kosovo during World War I
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
Astrazubi massacre 1914 Malisheva 227 Serbian army Albanians 90% of the houses in Astrazubi were destroyed.[17]
Peja massacres 1914 Peja Serbian army Albanians 25 civilians were killed each day.[18]
Lubishtë massacres 1914 Lubishtë 104 Serbian army Albanians [19]
Julekar massacre 1914 Viti 24 Serbian army Albanians [19]
Attack on Bytyçi 1915 Highlands of Gjakova Serbian army Albanians The Ushki family almost completely killed, with only one survivor.[14]
Bombardment of Vechali 1915 Prizren–Tetovo 65 Serbian army Albanians The Serbian army shelled the village of Vecali.[20]
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Interwar period

See also: Yugoslav colonization of Kosovo § Massacres of Albanians
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
Rugova massacre 16 February 1919 Rugova 842 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [21][22][23]
Mitrovica killings 1919–1921 Mitrovica 1,330 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [24]
Peja killings 1919–1921 Peja 1,563 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [24]
Prizren killings 1919–1921 Prizren 4,600 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [24]
Ferizaj killings 1919–1921 Ferizaj 1,694 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [24]
Keqekolla massacre January 1921 Keqekolla Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [25][26]
Prapashtica massacre January 1921 Prapashticë Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [25][26]
Dushkaja massacre 1921 Dushkaja 63 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [27]
Dubnica massacre 10 February 1924 Dubnica 25 Army of Kingdom of Yugoslavia Albanian civilians [28]
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World War II

See also: Kosovo during World War II
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
Massacres of Kosovo Serbs April–May 1941 Districts of Peja, Gjakova, Istog and Drenica 162 Albanian fascists Serbs Massacres accompanied by expulsions and burning down of villages.[29]
Istok killings 1941–1943 Istog 275 Albanian fascists Serbs [30]
Goraždevac killings 1941 Goraždevac near Peja 47 Albanian fascists Serbs [30]
Ibarski Kolašin massacres 30 September–10 October 1941 Ibarski Kolašin 150 Albanian fascists Serbs 22 villages also burnt down.[30]
Ibarski Kolašin killings 1942–1943 Ibarski Kolašin 130 Albanian fascists Serbs [30]
June 1942 Pristina killings Late June 1942 Pristina area 100 Albanian fascists Serbs [31]
Vareška Reka massacre June 1943 15 Albanian fascists Serbs [30]
Trepča mine executions 3–7 June 1943 Trepça mines, Mitrovica 64 Albanian

fascists

 Serbs Mass shooting of Serbs by Albanians, Albanian gendarmerie and prison guards at the Trepča mine prison, most of whom were workers that had fallen ill, and among whom several were peasants from the Mitrovica vicinity.[32]
Uroševac massacre 11–12 September 1943 Ferizaj area 60 Albanian fascists Serbs 48 were killed in the town itself, while 12 others were taken out of town and killed after being tortured. The unit responsible was commanded by Amdija Jašarević.[33]
Nekodim, Baroš Selo, Duganjevo and Plešina murders 12–13 September 1943 Nekodim, Baroš Selo, Duganjevo and Plešina Unknown Albanian fascists Serbs [34]
Žerovnica killings 10 October 1943 Žerovnica 6 Albanian fascists Serbs [35]
Brestovik mass killing 13 October 1943 Brestovik 19 Albanian fascists Serbs 19 Serbs in the Serb village of Brestovik near Peja were killed by Albanian quislings on 13 October 1943. Before the Italian capitulation (September 1943), 12 villagers had also been killed.[35]
Rakoš massacre October 1943 Rakoš 65 Albanian fascists Serbs Serbs shot by Albanians in Rakoš, a village half-way between Kosovska Mitrovica and Peć.[30]
Peja massacres Late 1943 Peja 230 Albanian fascists Serbs [36]
Rakoš mass killings 3 December 1943 Rakoš 30 Albanian fascists Serbs [37]
Siga massacre 4 December 1943 Siga 36 Albanian fascists Serbs 36 Serbs from the village of Siga were massacred by the Kosovo Regiment[37]
Peja mass killings 4–7 December 1943 Peja 300 Albanian fascists Serbs Between 4 and 7 December 1943, 400 soldiers of Kosovo Regiment commanded by Xhafer Deva surrounded Peć and committed mass murder of local Serbs and Montenegrins, killing at least 300 people.[38]
Tople Vode massacre 1944 Kaçanik 13 Bulgarian forces Serbs 13 Serbs from the village of Vrbeštica shot by Bulgarian forces.[35]
Štrpce massacre 30 June 1944 Štrpce 50 Bulgarian military Serbs Serbs shot after the death of a Bulgarian soldier.[35]
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Kosovo War

See also: War crimes in the Kosovo War
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
Attacks on Likoshane and Çirez 28 February–1 March 1998 Likoshan and Çirez, near Drenas 26 Serbian special police KLA, Albanian civilians Yugoslav authorities launched an assault on multiple houses in Likoshane and Çirez, killing 26 Albanian civilians after clashes occurred between the MUP and KLA.
Attack on Prekaz 5–7 March 1998 Prekaz, near Skenderaj 59 VJ, SAJ KLA, Albanian civilians operation led by the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit of Serbia which lasted from 5–7 March 1998, which goal was to eliminate Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) suspects and their families.[39][40] During the operation, KLA leader Adem Jashari and his brother Hamëz were killed, along with nearly 60 other family members.
Volujak Massacre 27 - 28 July 1998[41] Volujak 25 KLA Serbian civilians According to Serb authorities, 25 male Kosovo Serb civilians were executed. Serbia attributes the killings to the KLA "Orahovac group"[42]
Klecka case 17–22 July 1998 Kleçka 8-10 KLA (suspected) Serbian and Albanian prisoners The MUP took control of the Klečka area in August 1998, finding eight to ten bodies burned in a lime kiln after being executed. The KLA is the suspected perpetrator.
Mališevo mass grave 17–20 July 1998 Malishevë 13 KLA Serbian civilians 12 Serbs and 1 Bulgarian were kidnapped and then executed by the KLA in Mališevo between 17–20 July 1998
Orahovac Massacre 17–20 July 1998 Rahovac 47 KLA Serbian civilians More than 100 Serbian and Roma civilians from Orahovac and its surrounding villages – Retimlje, Opterusa, Zočište and Velika Hoca – in western Kosovo were kidnapped and placed in prison camps by KLA fighters; 47 were massacred
Lake Radonjić massacre Before 9 September 1998 Glođane 34 KLA Serbs, Albanians On 9 September 1998 the Serbian police announced the finding of a mass grave. By 16 September 34 bodies were gathered. Victims included some Albanians.[43][44]
Gornje Obrinje massacre 26 September 1998 Abri e Epërme 21 Serbian special police Albanian civilians Operation against KLA, in retaliation of at least 14 killed Serbian policemen, subsequent massacre with HRW claiming 21 civilians.[45]
Golubovac executions 26 September 1998 Golubovac 13 Serbian paramilitary KLA or Albanian civilians Following Gornje Obrinje,[46] summary execution of men suspected of being KLA.[47]
Panda Bar massacre 14 December 1998 Peja 6 Serbian Secret Service Serbian civilians 6 Serb civilians killed and 14 wounded in attack on café in Peja. The KLA was accused at the time of the events, but strongly rejected any involvement. The Serbian Organised Crime Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation in 2016 and reached the conclusion that the massacre was not perpetrated by Albanians.[48] any years after the incident, the Serbian government officially acknowledged that it was perpetrated by agents of the Serbian Secret Service.[49]
Račak massacre 15 January 1999 Reçak 54 SAJ, JSO KLA, Albanian civilians Operation against KLA (9 suspected KLA killed), including killings of 45 civilians.[50] Controversial topic.
Mitrovica massacre 13 March 1999 Bazaar of Mitrovica 6 Serbian police Albanian civilians After three grenades were thrown at the market, six people died, over 128 others were injured, many of them remained disabled for life.[51]
Velika Kruša massacre 25 March 1999 Krushë e Madhe 243 Serbian special police Albanian civilians 243 Albanian civilians were killed by Yugoslav Special Police units in the Kruša region, after houses were systematically looted and burned.
Bela Crkva massacre 25 March 1999 Bela Crkva 62-77 Serbian special police and paramilitary Albanian civilians Paramilitary and police units entered Bela Crkva on 25 March 1999 and found groups of Albanian civilians taking refuge along the Bellaj river. The women were separated from the men and were expelled from the village. The men were later executed, 62-77 bodies were discovered.
Suva Reka massacre 26 March 1999 Suva Reka 48 Serbian police Albanian civilians Members of the Berisha family were forced into their family-owned pizzeria, where two hand grenades were thrown. Serbian police officers shot those who displayed signs of life. The bodies were disposed into a mass grave near a police facility in Batajnica, Serbia.[52]
Imeraj massacre 26 March 1999 Pemishtë/Cërkolez 19 Serbian military police & paramilitaries Albanian civilians Serbian forces entered the village of Pemishtë/Cërkolez and killed 19 Albanian civilians, all members of the Imeraj family, including 13 women and children.[53][54]
Izbica massacre 28 March 1999 Izbica 93-120[55] VJ, police and paramilitary Albanians Execution of Albanian civilians in Izbica following the shelling of nearby villages.
Podujevo massacre 28 March 1999 Podujevë 14 Serbian security forces, Scorpions Albanian civilians Security forces gunned down 19 people in the town of Podujevo, killing 14 people and injuring 5, whom were children [56]
Pusto Selo massacre 31 March 1999 Pusto Selo near Rahovac 106 Serbian forces KLA or Albanian civilians 106 civilians were killed by Yugoslav forces in Pusto Selo as a retaliatory attack after fighting earlier in the village. Residents stated that the KLA had a base in Drenoc, and the Yugoslav forces may have attacked Pusto Selo as an attempt to eliminate KLA forces in the region.
Rezalla massacre 5 April 1999 Rezalla 80 - 98[57] Serbian forces Albanian civilians Serbian police entered the Albanian village of Rezala and gunned down at least 80 to 98 villagers.[57][58]
Ljubižda massacre 12 April 1999 Lubizhdë, Prizren 40 Serbian forces Albanian civilians Serbian security forces shot and killed 40 men in the village of Ljubižda Has, northwest of Prizren.[59]
Gjakova bombing 14 April 1999 Gjakovë 73 NATO Albanian refugees NATO accidentally bomb Albanian refugees in Gjakova.
Slovinje massacre 15–16 April 1999 Sllovi near Lipjan 35–44 Serbian security forces Albanians Between 35 and 44 people were shot and executed by Serbian police and paramillitaries in Slovinje and the immediate villages surrounding it (notably Smolusa)[60][61]
Poklek massacre 17 April 1999 Poklek, Drenas 53 Serbian police Albanians On April 17, 1999, Serbian forces killed 53 Albanian civilians in Poklek, near Drenas. Among the victims were 24 children, the youngest just 4 and 10 months old.
Staro Ćikatovo massacre 17 April 1999 Çikatovë e Vjetër 24 - 27[62] Serbian forces Albanians 24 - 27 men of the Morina family were killed during a day-long raid by Serbian forces.[63] Although survivors claimed that none of the killed were involved with the KLA, several members of the family are admitted KLA members.[63]
Mala Kaludra massacre 19 April 1999 Kalludra e Vogël 23 Serbian paramilitaries Albanian refugees 23 Albanian refugees were killed by Serbian paramilitaries as they fled towards Montenegro.[64]
Meja massacre 27 April 1999 Mejë near Gjakova 377 Serbian forces Albanian civilians Serbian forces retaliate for the KLA killing of five Serbian policemen in Meja on 21 April, by mass killings on 27 April in that village.[65] The number of victims is unknown, but is believed by HRW to be 300 (based on missing persons list), although very few bodies have been found.[66] Newer figures raise the number dead to at least 377.[67]
Lužane bus bombing 1 May 1999 Lluzhan 23–60 NATO Serbian civilians NATO missile attack on bridge.
Vushtrri massacre 2–3 May 1999 Vushtrri 120 Serbian forces Albanian civilians Albanian refugees fleeing the fighting that was occurring between the Yugoslav Army and the KLA were cornered by the Serb Special Forces (who suspected that some KLA members were fleeing the fighting with the refugees). The Special Forces picked out about 120 men who they suspected of being KLA deserters and sprayed them with bullets and later hid their bodies in a mass-grave near Gornja Sudimlja.
Koriša bombing 14 May 1999 Korishë, Prizren 87 NATO Albanian refugees NATO bombed a column of Albanian refugees, killing at least 87 and wounding 60.
Ćuška massacre 14 May 1999 Qyshk 41 Serbian security forces Albanians An estimated twelve men killed in round-up, 29 men gathered into three houses and gunned down.[68] Unclear motive.[69]
Bilbildere massacre 16 May 1999 Prizren 2 Serbian paramillitaries Albanians 2 men were captured by Arkan's Tigers and were summarily executed.[70]
Dubrava Prison massacre 22–23 May 1999 Dubrava 79–82 NATO

Serbian prison guards

 Albanian inmates Inmates were extrajudicially killed or summary executed on 22 and 23 May following NATO bombings on 19 May.[71]
Tusus massacre 26 May 1999 Prizren 27–34 Serbian forces Albanians Serbian forces kill 27–34 people and burn over 100 homes.[72] Retaliation for at least two killed policemen on crossing street that morning by KLA.[72]
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Aftermath of Kosovo War

See also: United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
More information Event, Date ...
Event Date Location Deaths Perpetrator Victims Description
Peja killing 12 June 1999 Peja 7 Serbian forces Albanian civilians Six members of a family were killed and one was captured and found dead.[73][74]
Silvovo killings 22 June 1999 Silvovo 4 KLA (suspected) Serbian civlians Four Serbian brothers, Zivojin, Zivko, Trogan, and Dimitrice Simic were found stabbed to death in Silvovo next to the village of Gračinca. Many suspected that KLA was behind this but the perpetrators remained unknown.[75][76]
Gnjilane massacre June–October 1999 Gjilan 51 KLA Serbian civilians KLA's Gnjilane Group burned homes and murdered Serbs and other non-Albanian civilians. The remains of 51 Serbs were discovered in mass graves in 1999.
Staro Gracko massacre 23 July 1999 Lipjan 14 KLA Serbian civilians Mass killing of 14 Serb farmers in the village of Staro Gracko in the municipality of Lipljan on 23 July 1999. The killings occurred after Yugoslav troops withdrew from the region in the aftermath of the Kosovo War.[77]
Ugljare massacre Before August 1999 Ugljare 15 KLA Serbs KFOR reports on 25 August 1999 the finding of 15 bodies of killed Serbs.[78] Killed months prior, the bodies were concealed by the KFOR.[79]
Klokot killings 16 August 1999 Klokot 2 Albanian extremists Serbian civilians On 16 August 1999, after the Kosovo War, a mortar attack carried out by Albanians killed two Serb civilians and wounded five others in the village. There had earlier that month been two mortar attacks.[80][81]
Mitrovica massacre 3–4 February 2000 North Mitrovica 10 Serbian extremists Albanian civilians Serbian extremists stormed the houses of 10 Albanian civilians and murdered them on the nights of 3–4 February 2000.[82][83][84]
Cernica Killings 28 May 2000 Cernica 3 Albanian extremists Serbian civilians Three Serbs including a four year old child were murdered in cold blood during a drive-by shooting in Cernica, a village south of Gnjilane.[85][86]
Podujevo bus bombing 16 February 2001 Podujevë 12 Albanian extremists Serbian civilians 12 dead and 40 wounded in bombing attack on bus convoy carrying Serbs traveling to Serb enclave Gračanica to visit family graves.
Hajra family massacre 21 August 2001 Drenas 5 Former members of KLA Albanian civilians 5 Former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army in the late evening killed five members of the Albanian Hajra family[87][88][89]
Stolic Family Massacre 3 June 2003 Obiliq 3 Serbian civilians Three Serbs were axed to death. The house was then set on fire.[90][91][92]
Goraždevac murders 13 August 2003 Goraždevac 2 Albanian extremists Serbian civilians Shots fired from Albanian village on the Serb enclave kills two, an adult and a child, and wounding four.
2004 unrest in Kosovo 17–18 March 2004 Kosovo 8 Albanians Serbian civilians On 17 and 18 March 2004, a wave of violent riots swept through Kosovo, 8 Serbs and 11 Albanians were killed during the unrest. Over 935 Serbian houses and 35 Churches were burned and destroyed. Over 4000 Serbs were expelled from Kosovo.
Talinoc Killings 6 July 2012 Talinoc i Muhaxhirëve 2 Serbian civilians A married Serb couple, war refugees who had returned to the village, were murdered in their house on 6 July 2012. After the murders, the village Serbs asked the government to secure their relocation to either Strpce or Gracanica, or else they were to leave for Central Serbia.
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