This article discusses an article published in the newspaper ‘Le Temps’ published on July 23, 1876. It discusses the battles between the Albanians of Krajë, Anamali and Riol defending their territories against Montenegrin invasion forces. Freely translated text:

“On the western shore of Lake Skadar, very close to the Montenegrin border, are two localities, Sesla (or Seotsa, Kiepert’s map) and Krrica, situated in Ottoman territory, but inhabited by Orthodox, who, in all previous wars, had made common cause with the Montenegrins. I told you, I believe, in my last letter, that the principality was on the defensive; this attitude may have prompted the Ottoman troops to advance and test the enemy.

Yesterday morning, 10 July, the Turkish battalion, which had until then been defeated by the occupation of Shestanin, directed its fighters towards Krinica (Krrica), composed of Muslim and Catholic fighters sent to that point one day before and two days before by the Governor-General, formed from the contingents of Anamal, Riol and Krajë; the latter, entirely Muslim, was in a way defending its own homes, while the fighting was taking place in the territory of Krajë.

The inhabitants of Krrrica and Selca were supported by a Montenegrin battalion from the district of Cernica, which borders on Turkish Albania. The rapid-fire rifles of the Montenegrins caused chaos in the ranks of the irregular soldiers, most of whom were still armed with their long flintlock rifles; Krajë suffered heavy losses, Riol was completely destroyed and the leader of Anamal, mortally wounded, died as soon as he reached the bridge of Shkodra where he was being transported on horseback.

The mountain people reported that they were abandoned by the regular Turkish troops, who left them alone, exposed to the deadly fire of their opponents; the small steamer on the lake was shot shells all day long, which did not seem to have caused much damage to the well-defended Montenegrins.”