Information gathered by PhD Bulent Zenuni’s book from 2019.

Abstract

The village of Lybishtë (Lubishte), located in the Karadak region, represents one of the most heavily affected Albanian communities subjected to Serbian violence from the early 20th century through the Kosovo War of 1999. This study documents a long chronology of killings, massacres, and atrocities committed against the Albanian population between 1908 and 1999. Particular attention is given to the massacre of December 1912–January 1913, during which Serbian Chetnik units and military forces killed and captured approximately 90 Albanian men and boys. The paper also highlights subsequent episodes of violence in 1913, 1918, 1925, 1941, and 1999, illustrating the continuity of repression across different political regimes. Memorial plaques and monuments erected in Lybishtë and surrounding villages serve as historical testimony to these events and honor the martyrs, including those who fell during the Kosovo War.

The Albanian village of Lubishte has among the most affected villages in the Karadak region. Between 1912 to 1999, the Serbian attacks led to the death of countless people.

During the year 1908, martyrs fell, in 1910, 2 martyrs died. During the year of 1912, 18 martyred warriors were killed by Sebs. During the year 1913 the Serbs claimed 75 innocent victims. During the year 1925 the Yugoslav serb attacks took 5 victims. Serbian atrocities continued in 1918 where 2 Albanians were killed. In 1941 the Serbs killed 3 people. In 1999 7 victims were claimed and 6 martyrs, 2 of whom have been declared heroes.

The massacre of December 1912-January 1913

In December 1912 and January 1913, the Serbian invaders treacherously killed and captured 90 men and boys near Lybishtë. 8 memorial monuments have been erected in their memory.

A memorial plaque in Podgorc with the inscription “Here fell 18 Albanians of Lybishtë heroically on December 1912 during a fight with Serbian invaders. Their bodies have been buied in the village of Lybishtë”.

In 1912, Serbian terrorists of the Chetnik units arrested 36 Albanians of Lybishtë and sent them to the Serb village of Verbovc, allegedly with the intention of interrogating them for things that occurred previously. The Serbs then ordered the Albanians to be tied and sent to the village of Gërnca to be executed. An older Albanian named Ibish refused and began a struggle with the Chetniks which led to several dead Serbs and 18 dead Albanians.

A memorial plaque in Lybishtë saying that local Serbs and the Serbian army cowardly and barbarically massacred 90 Albanian men.

A memorial plaque in Lybishtë that says: 18 Albanians killed in 1912 and 76 Albanians massacred in 1913 by Chetnik Serbs.

A memorial for the Albanina martyrs Prof. Imer Shabiju (1968-1999) and Ramush Ademi (1987-1999) who fell heroically defending their home from Serbian invades. Also mentioned are: Ahmet Rama, Sylbije Metushi, Ramadan Hajdari, Hajriz Hajrizi, Gani Ahmeti, Beqir Nura, Shaban Ferizi.

Source

“Genealogy of the village of Lybishte. (Historical development)” “Gjenealogji e fshatit Lybishtë (Zhvilimi historik)”. PhD Bulent Zenunis. 2019.