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21 Years Later: Remembering the March 17 Kosovo Riots and the Tragedy of the Serbian Orthodox Community Twenty-one years ago, in March 2004, Kosovo witnessed the most severe outbreak of violence against civilians since the end of the #Kosovo war in 1999 despite the international presence. The tragic events, which lasted from March 17 to March 19, left an indelible mark on the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community in Kosovo, highlighting the enduring fragility of interethnic relations in the region. For the #Serbian #Orthodox #Church and its faithful, the March riots were a catastrophic event characterized by widespread destruction and targeting of religious and cultural heritage. During these violent days, more than 30 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries—many of them dating back to the medieval period—were severely damaged or destroyed by organized Kosovo Albanian mobs. Among the most notable losses were the 14th-century Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš in Prizren, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Monastery of Devič, both desecrated and set ablaze. Icons, frescoes, and irreplaceable historical artefacts were vandalized or destroyed, dealing a devastating blow to Serbia’s cultural and spiritual legacy in Kosovo. Beyond the immeasurable cultural and religious losses, the riots precipitated a humanitarian crisis. Approximately 4,000 Serbs and other non-Albanian inhabitants were forced to flee their homes, seeking safety either within enclaves guarded by international peacekeepers or leaving Kosovo altogether. In just a few days, hundreds of Serbian homes were burned and looted, leaving entire families homeless and vulnerable. For the Serbian Orthodox Church, this represented not only physical destruction but a profound disruption of centuries-old community life. The riots were triggered by inflammatory reports by the Kosovo Albanian press following the tragic drowning of three Albanian children in the Ibar River near Mitrovica. Unsubstantiated rumours quickly spread, accusing local Serbs of involvement, igniting pent-up ethnic tensions that spiralled into organized violence against Serbian communities and their heritage sites across Kosovo. In response to the violence, international forces, notably KFOR and UNMIK, intervened to restore order, though many observers criticized the initial response as slow and insufficient. The riots resulted in 19 deaths and hundreds injured, underscoring the volatility of Kosovo’s post-conflict reality. The main organizers of the riots have never been brought to justice, and individual sentences were symbolic primarily compared to the severity of the riots. Two decades later, despite substantial international presence and ongoing peacekeeping efforts by the NATO-led KFOR mission, the situation for the Serbian community in Kosovo remains precarious. The Serbian Orthodox Church emphasizes that the scars of the March riots have yet to heal fully while its heritage still awaits protection from vandalism and historical appropriation. Vulnerable Serb communities, particularly those surrounding historic churches and monasteries, continue to depend heavily on international protection. The physical presence of KFOR remains essential not only to safeguard lives but also to protect the rich heritage of Serbian Orthodox Christianity that continues to face threats of desecration and erasure. In the broader context, the March riots in 2004 starkly illustrated the challenges of reconciliation and coexistence in Kosovo. The Serbian Orthodox Church continues to advocate for peace, mutual respect, and the preservation of its heritage, which are vital components for a stable and multi-ethnic Kosovo. Twenty-one years after these devastating events, lasting peace remains contingent upon robust international commitment, continued dialogue, and genuine respect for the diverse cultural and spiritual identities present in Kosovo. (Scenes of #vandalism during the 2004 Kosovo Albanian riots)
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