Petrit Latifi

In this article from 1913 published in the Tiroler Stimmen, we can read of Serbs murdering Albanian defenseless civilians in the region of Luma and Prizren. Cutting women and children with knives, bayonets and stabbing and shooting tied up men.

Murder of surrendering Albanians

“In the Ljuma area, the 10th and 18th Regiments operated. The 10th Regiment had been on outpost duty and was surprised and thrown back by the Albanians in the first few days. After the arrival of the 18th Regiment and six squadrons, the Albanians had to retreat in wild flight. Many were taken prisoner and begged for their lives on their knees. They were finished off with a few bayonet thrusts or a shot to the head.”

Serbs gave no mercy to Albanian civilians

“Between Prizren and the Albanian border there are approximately 15 Albanian villages, some of whose inhabitants had joined the movement of the rebels. After the dispersal of the Albanian detachments, they had returned to their homes where they awaited the Serbian troops as peaceful subjects. They hoped for mercy. But the order was: “No mercy, no, pardon!” The first two villages were surrounded.”

Serbs shot 83 Albanian adults and slaughtered 40 men with knives

“The commanding lieutenant had the village mayor gather all the adults – 83 in number – and shoot them immediately. In other villages, the captured men were tied together in groups of 40 and slaughtered with knives! This was cheaper because ammunition was saved. Among the soldiers, there was a Gypsy who gladly undertook this task. To the glory of our soldiers, it should be said that although they were already bloodthirsty, no one wanted to witness this horrific massacre.”

Women and children stabbed with bayonets and knives

“But that’s not all. In the villages searched today, all the inhabitants had to be cut down to the bone and house-bone. Women and children were stabbed with bayonets or knives, amidst horrific cries of pain, or they were shot. The houses were all set on fire, and the mothers who, in terror, tried to rush into the burning houses to save their children were shot.”

Serbs threw dead women and children into the flames

“The dead and wounded were thrown into the flames—why go to unnecessary trouble with burying them? Some women tried to flee to safety—wasted effort; the bullets were faster. Death overtook them with their babies at their breasts. “Stop! By God, you’ll never have more children!” Of the 15 villages, nine were completely destroyed, and in the others, all the suspects were killed!”

“The 12th Regiment operated in the area around Dibra. The inhabitants of these local villages fled to hiding places in the mountains. But soon after their villages were destroyed, their relentless pursuers caught up with them. What happened there, no one can tell; those affected are no longer among the living. The neighboring Christian villages took upon themselves the care of the surviving herds…. Peace reigns in the south of Serbia. There is no one left who could rise up! What does Christian Europe say about this? Nothing!