A year has passed since the events in Banjska, Kosovo, where a police officer was killed, followed by an armed conflict that left three attackers dead and several wounded. The attackers were later identified as residents from the northern region of Kosovo. Despite the passage of time, for many Serbs living in northern municipalities, the events remain shrouded in mystery. As residents of Banjska, Zvečan, and North Mitrovica shared with the KoSSev portal, the true motives behind the incident are still unclear. Some believe that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti may hold the answers.
The Enigma of Banjska: Mystery or Political Deal?
„Banjska remains a complete enigma. We don’t know what happened or why it happened. Everyone has their own story, but we know that four lives were lost for someone’s gain. It’s senseless. One day, the truth will come out,“ said a resident of Zvečan in a vox pop conducted by KoSSev.
Others express frustration that the case has not been properly investigated, with a citizen from North Mitrovica describing the lack of clarity as „a great shame and tragedy for the Serb people in Kosovo.“
A local from Banjska voiced similar sentiments, questioning why the violence began in such a small, seemingly insignificant village. „I can’t understand why it all started here. Banjska isn’t worth the loss of three lives,“ he said, adding that if anyone knows the truth, it would be Vučić and Kurti, hinting at a potential political agreement behind the scenes.
One Year Later: Life in Northern Kosovo Has Changed
The events of September 24, 2023, left a lasting impact on the people of Banjska, Zvečan, and North Mitrovica. Residents describe a mix of increased security, economic hardship, and lingering psychological trauma, particularly among children.
„Children had to listen to the exchange of gunfire. These are traumas they’ll carry for life,“ one Banjska resident said.
He acknowledged that the security situation has improved, with children now able to attend school and residents moving more freely, but pointed out that the economic damage has been severe. The closure of the Rajska Banja spa complex after the incident has left many locals without jobs.
„People aren’t working; they’ve closed everything down, including the post office and the spa. Rajska Banja was the lifeblood of Banjska,“ he lamented.
Another resident from North Mitrovica noted how drastically Banjska has changed.
„The streets are empty now. Where once you saw 50 cars daily—visitors to the spa and the monastery—now you only see a few stray cats. Banjska is a dead village now,“ he said.
The Presence of Police and Lingering Fear
Residents also expressed concerns over the increased presence of police in the area, particularly how it affects children.
„The police try to play with them, but some kids are reserved. There is a lot of fear, especially with them being here all the time,“ one parent noted.
A resident of Zvečan echoed the sentiment, observing that life across northern Kosovo has become progressively more difficult. „Instead of living freely, enjoying life, we are in constant fear, wondering what tomorrow will bring.“
Many citizens of North Mitrovica spoke of the anxiety that has taken root since last year, noting that more people are leaving the area, uncertain of what the future holds.
„People are leaving. We live in stress, uncertainty, and fear,“ said an elderly resident.
The Return of Locals, But Not Tourists
While most Banjska residents who left immediately after the conflict have since returned, the village’s once-thriving tourist industry has not recovered.
„Not many people left permanently, but we’ve lost our tourists. Banjska used to be a tourist hub, with ten buses arriving every day,“ said a local.
For the village to return to normal, some believe international intervention is necessary. A local resident called on the international community to pressure Pristina to return control of the Rajska Banja complex to the municipality of Zvečan.
He also appealed to the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Eparchy of Raška and Prizren to help revitalize the village, suggesting that Banjska Monastery should open its doors more frequently, rather than only on Sundays.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Despite the challenges, a resident of Zvečan remains hopeful. „Hope keeps us going. Without it, we’d all be finished. We’ll endure—us and the Albanians alike. They’re scared too. These are big political games, and we are just small, poor people. But we’ll survive, with God’s help,“ he said.
The Banjska Incident: What We Know
The tragic events of September 23–24, 2023, began with the killing of a Kosovo police officer, followed by hours of armed conflict in Banjska. Three attackers were killed, and several others were wounded or arrested. All were later identified as being from northern Kosovo. The attackers were heavily armed, with military equipment worth millions of euros seized.
The Banjska Monastery was caught in the middle of the chaos. Initial reports, which were later debunked, suggested that the monastery had been involved in the attack or had hidden weapons. Some even speculated that monks had harbored terrorists.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Milan Radoičić, then vice-president of Srpska Lista, the largest political party representing Kosovo Serbs. Kosovo’s special prosecutor’s office recently indicted Radoičić and 44 others for the Banjska incident, charging them with terrorism and crimes against Kosovo’s constitutional order and security. The group allegedly sought to use violence to separate northern Kosovo from the rest of the country.
The trial is set to begin on September 25, just one day after the one-year anniversary of the attack.
Read more:
Conflict Anniversary in Banjska: Kosovo’s Leaders Honor Fallen Officer, Accusations Toward Serbia
Nedeljković Speaks on Banjska’s Struggles: „A Village Turned Ghost Town After the Violence“
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
