The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, together with the Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, today paid homage at the martyrs’ cemeteries in Gllobar, Vërboc, Shtuticë and at the Memorial Complex in Marinë.
On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that 27 years ago, Gllobar, Vërboc, Shtuticë, Trestenik, Baksi Polluzha and other villages of Drenica faced the attack of Serbian occupying forces.
“276 unarmed and innocent civilians were massacred. Some of the bodies were burned, while others were sent to Rashka in Serbia, in order to hide the traces of the crime. These murders of babies, children, girls, women, and the elderly are evidence of Serbia’s genocide in Kosovo. On April 30th, 1999, that same day, in defense of unarmed and innocent civilians, 42 soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army, now martyrs of the nation, fell. Among them, the hero Ilaz Kodra, who led the 114th brigade,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
She further added that today, we honour their sublime work, we honour the lives of the martyrs and the work of the nation’s fallen.
“Thanks to them, we have the state of Kosovo, freedom and independence, which we must honour with continuous work,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
During the day, the Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, and the Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, also paid homage at the Memorial Complex in the Marinë.
On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu said that we are here at the Memorial Complex in the Marinë in Skenderaj, to honour the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
“We have just laid fresh flowers in honour of the life and work of the 42 martyrs of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who heroically fell while protecting the innocent civilians of the villages of Drenicë, who were facing fierce attacks by the Serbian occupying forces. Among them was Commander Ilaz Kodra, who grew up in Prekaz, the Prekaz of patriotism. He who in his youth was inspired by brave fighters and idealists who knew that freedom is not won without war,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
She also said that Ilaz Kodra was among the first members of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
According to her, he served as an inspiration, both in training and in mobilization for the increase in the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
“After the heroic fall of Commander Fehmi Lladrovci, he took over the leadership of Brigade 114 and until the end of his life did everything for freedom and for our country,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
