Petkovic: Our sacred duty is to never forget heroes of Kosare

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Tuesday the 1999 Battle of Kosare represented one of the most difficult battles for the Serbs and that "it is our sacred duty to never forget the heroes who gave their lives to defend freedom and Kosovo-Metohija."

On the 25th anniversary of the start of the battle, Petkovic said the defenders had given "their most valuable assets - their lives and their youth - to defend the Fatherland, to defend Kosovo-Metohija."

"Twenty-five years after their martyrdom, their young lives shine with the same undying light. It is our sacred duty to never forget them, and it is only thanks to President Aleksandar Vucic that we are cherishing a culture of remembrance of all those among us who have suffered," Petkovic wrote in a Facebook post.

The Battle of Kosare began on April 9, 1999, when the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army", supported by artillery units of the Albanian army and NATO air force and instructors, attacked the Kosare outpost on the Yugoslav-Albanian border.

The Battle of Kosare lasted for 67 days, claiming the lives of 108 soldiers of the then Yugoslav Army.

The border was successfully defended thanks to the heroism and superhuman efforts of the army troops.