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Kosova Daily Report #1509, 98-08-02
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1509
Prishtina, 2 August 1998
First Edition: 12:30 hrs
Second Edition: 17:30 hrs
CONTENTS
[01] Serbian Military and Police Mount Large-scale Offensive in Drenica
Today
[02] Latest report: 12:00 hrs At Least Eight Albanians Killed during Serb
Offensive in Drenica
[03] Serb Military Launches Full-scale Artillery Attack on Gjakova
Villages
[04] Municipal Cadastral Service's Building Burned in Unsolved
Circumstances in Vushtrri
[05] Serbian Forces Kill Four Women, Wound Four Other Members of a Single
Albanian Family in Drenica
[06] Names of Two Killed, Six Wounded in Klina and Skenderaj Reported
[07] Massive Displacement of Albanian Population from Drenica
[08] Serbian Forces Shell Villages in De^an Area Fierce attacks on Prejlep,
Rastavic& and Junik reported
[09] Serb Military Launches Offensive Continues in Gjakova Municipality
[10] Serbian Forces Shell the Village of C&rmjan, in Gjakova Municipality
[11] Village of Kle^k& in Malisheva Shelled Last Night, Caralluk& In
Flames
[12] Four Albanian Civilians Wounded Friday in Two Obiliq Villages
[13] List of 54 Kosovar Passengers, Arrested on 20 July, and Charged by
Serbian Authorities in Prokuplje
[01] Serbian Military and Police Mount Large-scale Offensive in Drenica
Today
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - At five o'clock in the morning today (Sunday),
Serbian military and police forces launched a large-scale offensive against
many villages in the municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), in the region of
Drenica, LDK sources said.
A local source from the village of Llaush& said Serb forces were pounding
the village with heavy artillery guns.
Reports said Serb forces used ground-to-ground rockets in their assault on
Drenica villages, too.
LDK sources said an extremely grave situation prevails today in the
villages of ^ubrel, Vitak, Klin&, Padalisht&, Runik.
A resident from Prishtina, originating from Broj&, said he had contacted
relatives who said the villages of Broj&, Vojnik&, Turi^evc, and Kopiliq
were being shelled today.
The villages of Polluzh& and T&rstenik have been attacked, too, local
sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF)
said.
Thousands of inhabitants from the municipality of Skenderaj have fled their
homes and run to the mountains for days now. Their health condition is
reported to be alarming, as food and medical supplies are lacking there.
This year's Serb offensive in Kosova started in late February, early March
when Albanian villages in the region of Drenica were attacked by Serb
paramilitary police in what amounted to a military operation which left
villages in rubble and scores of civilians killed in their home.
'Yugoslav' President Slobodan Milosevic "assured" senior EU diplomats on
Thursday the Serb offensive was over. It was yet another ploy, or perhaps
the very words European and American diplomats wished to hear as a face-
saving way out. Milosevic assured them, so they will have to wait for his
words to bear fruit, the argument goes.
[02] Latest report: 12:00 hrs At Least Eight Albanians Killed during Serb
Offensive in Drenica
PRISHTINA, Aug (KIC) - At least eight Albanians are known to have been
killed today (Sunday) amidst a heavy Serb military and police offensive
against the villages in the Drenica region of Kosova.
Local sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms
(CDHRF) said three members of the Albanian resistance forces were killed in
the village of Jashanic&, municipality of Klina, today.
In the village of Shtutic&, municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), four
Albanians have been killed, CDHRF sources said, adding that their identity
has not been determined yet.
Serbian forces killed in the morning today Fatmir Veliqi (20), resident of
the Polac village of Skenderaj, LDK sources in Llaush& said.
[03] Serb Military Launches Full-scale Artillery Attack on Gjakova
Villages
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - Very early in the morning today (Sunday), around 3
a.m., Serbian and military forces launched a full-scale artillery attack on
the border villages of the Reka e Keqe region as far as Junik.
The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said the sound of artillery
barrages was so loud it frightened residents of the town itself, because
windows in the blocks of flats were shaking.
The Serb offensive's targets are the villages of Nec, Ramoc, Smolic&,
Stub&ll, Berjah, Nivokaz, Dobrosh, and up to the huge village of Junik, in
the municipality of De^an.
The Serb military is positioned in the Kodra e ^abratit, adjacent to the
town of Gjakova, then in Qafa e Osekut, in Suka e Biteshit.
The villages of the Hasi region, then Babaj i Bok&s and Pllanik of Ponoshec
are being shelled by Serb military.
The Serb forces have been advancing with infantry, too, aiming at taking
ares controlled by local Albanian resistance forces, and the U^K, local
sources said.
Today's are the most fierce Serb attacks since the beginning of armed
conflicts, local observers say.
There have been no immediate reports on casualties or the material damage.
Reports said large Serb troops in motorized units moved last night towards
the villages of De^an, also the scene of continued fighting between local
Albanian forces and Serb military and police units.
[04] Municipal Cadastral Service's Building Burned in Unsolved
Circumstances in Vushtrri
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - On Saturday, around 21:00 hrs, the building
housing the municipal cadastral service in Vushtrri ('Vucitrn') was burned
to the ground in yet unsolved circumstances, the LDK Information Commission
reported.
It is reported that parts of the adjacent house of an Albanian, Behxhet
Beka, were damaged by the flames.
[05] Serbian Forces Kill Four Women, Wound Four Other Members of a Single
Albanian Family in Drenica
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - The Serbian forces killed today (Sunday) four and
wounded four other members of a single Albanian family in the village of
Shtutic&, in the municipality of Gllogovc, in the Drenica region, local LDK
sources said.
The tragedy befell the Zeqiri family when Serb forces were shelling in the
direction of the villages of Polac, Kryshec, Morin& and Shtutic&.
The Zeqiri family were trying to flee their home amidst the incessant
shelling by Serb troops.
A shell which landed in the courtyard of their house was fatal.
Four women were killed - Sofije Zeqiri (60), Vahide Zeqiri (20), Kada
Zeqiri (17) and Emine Zeqiri, Halim's wife. Four men were wounded - Halim
Zeqiri (unconfirmed reports say he died eventually), Besim Zeqiri, Sherif
Zeqiri and Rizah Zeqiri.
In the village of Shtutic& Albanian farmsteads and other property have been
reported burned by Serbian forces today.
Early in the morning today (Sunday), between 3 and 5 a.m., Serbian military
and police forces launched a large-scale offensive against many villages in
the three municipalities of the region of Drenica, in Skenderaj ('Srbica'),
Gllogovc and Klina, local sources said.
Serb forces have been pounding Albanian villages with heavy artillery guns,
and ground-to-ground rockets have been reported used, too, local sources
said.
At least eight Albanians are said to have been killed today (Sunday) amidst
a heavy Serb military and police offensive against the villages in the
Drenica region of Kosova.
Local sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms
(CDHRF) said three members of the Albanian resistance forces were killed in
the village of Jashanic&, municipality of Klina, today.
Serbian forces killed in the morning today Fatmir Veliqi (20), resident of
the Polac village of Skenderaj, LDK sources in Llaush& said.
[06] Names of Two Killed, Six Wounded in Klina and Skenderaj Reported
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - The Serbian military and police offensive,
launched very early in the morning today (Sunday), was going on from all
directions in the Drenica region, local sources said today afternoon.
From the village of Polac, Serbian forces have been attacking the villages
of Kryshec, Morin&, and Llaush&, whereas from Runik the villages of
Rakinic&, Vitak, Kllodernic& and Vojnik are being attacked.
From their positions in Klina, Serb forces have been attacking villages
that separate Drenica from this municipality, the LDK Information
Commission in Skenderaj ('Srbica') and the local CDHRF chapter reported.
Serb forces have been pounding Albanian villages with heavy artillery,
destroying and burning houses and wheatfields.
The casualty-toll amongst the Albanians is still largely unknown.
Local sources confirm so far the killing of Fatmir Hoti (1974), resident of
Jashanica, and Fatmir Veliqi, resident of Polac.
At least six Albanian civilians have been seriously and lightly wounded:
Sofije Veliqi (f) from Polac, Fehmi Dobra from Krushec, Xhelal Durmishi
from Rakinica, Brahim Krasniqi from Cerovik, Naser Gashi from Krusheci, and
another person.
Earlier in the day today, sources said three Albanians were killed in
Jashanica.
[07] Massive Displacement of Albanian Population from Drenica
Albanians moving towards the municipality of Vushtrri PRISHTINA, Aug 2
(KIC) - A large number of Albanians fleeing homes in their villages in
Drenica which have come under Serb attack today (Sunday) - Polac, Llaush&,
Krushec, Vitak, ^ubrel, Jashanic&, Kotorr, Radishev&, Klin&, Rakinic&, etc.
- have been moving in the direction of the neihgbouring Vushtrri
('Vucitrn') area, the LDK Information Commission in Vushtrri reported.
Local Albanian activists have mobilized to come to the aid of the displaced
Albanians, to provide them with shelter in the town of Vushtrri and the
villages in the municipality, LDK sources said.
[08] Serbian Forces Shell Villages in De^an Area Fierce attacks on Prejlep,
Rastavic& and Junik reported
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - Serbian military and police forces launched today
a strong offensive against the villages of Prejlep and Rastavic&, in the
municipality of De^an, local sources said.
The LDK Information Commission in De^an said Serb forces were shelling
today the villages of Junik, Grama^el, Shaptej and Here^.
There are probably killed and wounded, LDK sources said, adding that they
could not have confirmed reports by 15:00 hrs today.
Fighting continues in Junik between Serbian troops and local Albanian
resistance forces, sources said. Junik is being held under s ring of steel
by heavy Serb troops.
Local LDK sources said at least five Albanians were abducted yesterday in
the village of Here^. They were fleeing Junik together with their
families.
A police checkpoint has been set up in the village of Here^, along the
Gjakova-De^an roadway, aiming at disrupting communications between the
villages of De^an and the Reka e Keqe region.
The displaced population is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, local LDK
sources said.
[09] Serb Military Launches Offensive Continues in Gjakova Municipality
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - Serbian military, paramilitary and police forces,
which have launched early in the morning today (Sunday) a large-scale
offensive in border area villages, have been closing in on from three sides,
local sources said.
The Serb shelling had died a little bit, LDK sources in Gjakova said,
referring to the Serb offensive against border villages of the Reka e Keqe
region.
The Serb offensive's targets are the villages of Nec, Ramoc, Smolic&,
Stub&ll, Berjah, Nivokaz, Dobrosh, and up to the huge village of Junik, in
the municipality of De^an, local sources said earlier in the day.
Serb forces have been trying to overrun positions held by local Albanian
resistance forces, and the U^K.
There have been no immediate reports on casualties, but the material damage
is presumed to be immense.
Motorized Serb army units which moved last night towards the villages of
De^an - also the scene of continued fighting between local Albanian forces
and Serb military and police units - blocked today routes towards the
villages of Trakaniq, Novoselll&, Dobrigj&, etc., and are being positioned
near the villages of Grama^el, Gllogjan, and Shaptej.
Another Serb army convoy, consisting also of heavy artillery pieces, headed
to the villages of the Dushkaj& villages. Parts of the troops and combat
equipment was stationed on the Bec hill as well as along the Gjakov&-
Kramovik roadway.
Reports said these forces have been pounding with artillery the villages of
Dushkaj&s, a region which has been sealed off.
Serb troops have also been heading to the Gjakov&-Dollc roadway.
The town of Gjakova has been sealed off by Serb forces. Therefore, it has
been impossible to obtain information about the people who have been
displaced from the attacked area, especially in the Reka e Keqe region.
The population of that region has been trying for three days now to enter
the town of Gjakova, but only a fraction of them has been able to actually
get to into the town.
Most of the population of the region is presumed to be in the mountains,
their humanitarian situation being naturally enough disastrous.
[10] Serbian Forces Shell the Village of C&rmjan, in Gjakova Municipality
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - Serbian military and paramilitary police forces,
stationed near the village of Bec, started shelling the village of C&rmjan,
in the region of Dushkaj& of the municipality of Gjakova, the LDK
Information Commission told the KIC at 13:00 hrs.
Even the upland of C&rmjan cannot be seen from the billowing smoke and
flames, sources said.
Local Albanians have been resisting the Serb onslaught.
Reports from Gjakova said Serb forces wanted to advance towards the
villages of Jabllanic& and Zhabel.
Local Albanian resistance forces have been trying to repel the Serb
offensive and its goals, local sources said.
[11] Village of Kle^k& in Malisheva Shelled Last Night, Caralluk& In
Flames
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - For two hours last night, Serbian forces shelled
the village of Kle^k& in the municipality of Malisheva, in which thousands
of people had been sheltered in the aftermath of the Serb offensive earlier
this week, a humanitarian activist from Prishtina told the KIC.
The population started moving out of the villages, towards the Berisha
mountains, the activist said.
Basic necessities are lacking there, including food.
A lorry with food supplies reached the village yesterday, but it could not
satisfy the needs of so many people.
Local sources said, the village of Caralluk&, four km from Malisheva, is
being burned.
Serbian forces have looted all shops and businesses in Malisheva, as well
as two gas stations.
A terrible humanitarian situation is reported in the mountains above the
village of Arllat, where many people who have been living in the open sky
have been without food for three days now.
Likewise, some 6000 inhabitants of the village of Gurbardh have been
without any food and medical supplies.
[12] Four Albanian Civilians Wounded Friday in Two Obiliq Villages
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - Serbian forces wounded seriously four Albanian
civilians in the village of Sibovc on Friday, local LDK sources said.
They were wounded when the village was shelled by Serb forces. The village
of Shipitull& was shelled, too.
The population of the two villages has been evacuated, and found refuge in
relatively safer areas.
[13] List of 54 Kosovar Passengers, Arrested on 20 July, and Charged by
Serbian Authorities in Prokuplje
PRISHTINA, Aug 2 (KIC) - The LDK Information Commission in Ka^anik obtained
from Dr. Hysni Byty^i, an lawyer from Belgrade, the list of names of 54
passengers, most of whom Albanians, but also some Muslims, who were
arrested by the Serbian police on 20 July in Merdar, namely in the border
between Kosova and Serbia near the north-eastern town of Podujeva.
The passengers, who were on a bus travelling to Kosova from abroad, have
been accused by the Serb prosecutor in Prokuplje with "association for
hostile and terrorist activities".
The passengers are in the majority originating from Prizren, Suhareka,
Gllogovc, Malisheva, and Klina.
Following is the list of the names: Ramadan Kukiqi (34), Rrahman Aliu (36),
Nazmi Byty^i (22), Abdullah Morina (30), Halil Berisha (30), Besnik
Selmanaj (29), Naim Grulaj (25), Hashim Shala (28), Deli Krasniqi (19),
Enver Zogaj (26), Bexhet Aliu (27), Valbon Takjaxhiu (25) i komb&sis& turke,
Faik Ramaj (37), Hasan Elshani (35), Januz Suka (27), Sami Byty^i (24),
Burim Bllaca (20), Sk&nder Azemi (42), Qamil Gallapeni (54), Naim Balaj
(33), Bajram Fazli (24), of Muslim (Bosniak) ethnicity, Naser Rexhepi (37),
Ramadan Avdiu (37), Liman Sulaj (25), Zen& Smakiqi (38), Sinan Byty^i (38),
Ram& Avdiaj (37), Imer Krasniqi (29), Milazim Krasniqi (29), Feriz Zabelaj
(35), Ibrahim Fazli (33), of Muslim ethnicity, Ragip Bogaj (23), Syl&
Krasniqi (-), Blerim Kolgeci (23), Haxhi Kicaj (-), Bashkim Gavazaj (35),
Ali Gashi (-), Halit Ndrecaj (30), Ahmet Gashi (-), Nuhi Boka (-), Qazim
Krasniqi (33), Sedat Mu^aj (-), Xhavit Ka^aniku (56), Remzi Hasanaj (22),
Azem Krasniqi (20), Haxhi Shurdhaj (29), Avdi Berisha (51), Baki Hoxhaj
(42), Idriz Bylykbashi (35), Hajrulla Samadraxha (53), Naser Osmanaj (25),
Fatmir Sopaj (40), Sadim Murati (16), of Muslim ethnicity, and Besnik
Kastrati (-), who was not a passenger on board the bus, but rather a taxi
driver.
The LDK Information Commission said these passengers were robbed of foreign
currency amounting to DEM 250,000, although they had duly declared their
money when they entered the 'FRY'.
The lawyer, Hysni Byty^i, said Sadim Murati is a minor; Naim Grulaj was
operated upon in Ljubljana six weeks ago, and was on his way back home. Two
of the passengers (Naser Rexhepi and Hashim Shala) were to get back for
their pregnant wives were to deliver soon, whereas two others (Sedat Mu^aj
and Blerim Kolgeci) were getting back home for their own weddings.
Kosova Information Center
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