Goražde marked May 4 - the day the aggression and resistance of the city on the Drina began

(Patria) - By laying flowers, reciting Fatiha, and remembering the heroic resistance of defenders and citizens, Goražde today marked May 4 - a date that remained in the city's history as the beginning of the aggression and siege that lasted 1,336 days, writes "Glas Goražda".

The central event gathered numerous citizens, government officials, veterans' organizations, and former defenders of the city.

Representatives of the authorities, male and female war veterans, veterans' associations, and citizens laid flowers and recited Fatiha at the central memorial "Goražde - Hero City to its Defenders", as well as at the monument to the murdered children of Goražde.

War commander Abduselam Sijerčić Pelam spoke about the war days and the first moments of defense, reminding that May 4 is not a day for celebration, but for remembering those who were the first to stand in defense of Goražde.

- On the eve of May 4, we had information that the attack would begin. We knew that Foča, Višegrad, Čajniče, and other places had already fallen, and it was clear to us that we were next.

We expected an attack, but we did not expect such a fierce aggression on the city itself, on houses, on business premises. That morning, our first task was to protect the citizens, among whom were a large number of refugees, and to organize the first defense lines and connect the units - said Sijerčić.

He recalled that in the very first days of fighting, units were organized in neighborhoods and settlements, and that a defense line around the city was established in a very short period.

He particularly highlighted the events of May 1992, when the defenders, after capturing the "Gradina" Hotel, obtained important documentation about the plans of the enemy forces for a general attack on Goražde.

The documentation revealed the enemy forces' plan to attack Goražde with the aim of conquering the city between May 12 and 15.

According to Commander Sijerčić, all enemy units from Foča, Višegrad, Čajniče, Rudo, JNA aviation, and long-range weapons located from the direction of Foča and Rogatica were supposed to participate in this operation.

- First, there was aerial bombardment on May 11 towards Kolijevke. The planes, probably fearing that we did not have anti-aircraft weapons, flew high, so they hit their own, enemy lines.

In a way, we celebrated that. However, the next day, direct attacks began from the direction of Podhranjeni, Ustiprača, and Foča. On the morning of May 14, we received information that the Užice Corps with soldiers and tanks was moving from Ustiprača, accompanied by soldiers.

Fortunately, the unit in Kopači, led by Meho Drljević, managed to react in time, stop the attack, and inflict losses on the enemy - Sijerčić recalled.

Although the situation was extremely difficult, the city's defenders managed to respond to the attacks and hold the key defense lines.

Units that stopped the enemy forces' advances in several areas with timely reactions and forced them to retreat played a particularly important role.

These initial successes in defense further boosted the morale among the fighters and citizens, and an increasing number of people joined the city's defense and helped in various ways.

It was precisely in those May days that the organized and mass defense of Goražde began to take shape, which would later become the foundation of the city's resistance during the war.

- The beginning of the war was marked by mass mobilization of citizens, especially young people, and it was then that the nucleus of Goražde's resistance and defense was created.

I think the defense of Goražde itself deserves a serious and comprehensive analysis, and I hope someone will do it one day.

Someone just said it was a miracle how a small city, with so few forces, managed to survive and remain free on the Drina.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the defenders and congratulate them on everything they did during that time, and may eternal peace be with our fallen fighters, comrades, and martyrs - said Pelam.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs of the Bosansko-podrinjski Canton Goražde, Aner Hastor, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing that May 4 is one of the most important dates in the recent history of Goražde.

- On that May 4, 1992, the first shell was fired at Goražde, marking the beginning of a 1,336-day siege, filled with suffering, but also with immense courage, determination, and faith in freedom.

Today, we express our deep gratitude to all those who gave their lives for the freedom and dignity of this city - said Hastor.

He emphasized that it is the duty of today's generations to preserve the truth about the defense of Goražde, cultivate a culture of remembrance, and pass on the values of freedom, sacrifice, and resistance to future generations.

The commemoration of May 4 once again reminded of the courage of the defenders and citizens of Goražde, who, despite difficult conditions, managed to preserve the freedom of the city on the Drina.

As part of the "Days of Resistance - Goražde 2026" event, a series of activities dedicated to the culture of remembrance, history, and the role of defenders in the city's defense are planned.

Tomorrow, May 5, the laying of flowers at the cemetery of Halid Hubjer and his comrades is scheduled, while in the evening, a promotion of the book "When Love Existed Despite Everything" will be held.

In the coming days, the program will continue with book promotions, a round table on the role of women in the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the commemoration of the Day of Resistance in the local community of Osanica, and the commemoration of the Day of the Golden Lilies.

The conclusion of the event is scheduled for May 10 with the commemoration of the anniversary of the formation of the First Drina Brigade, the "On the Trail of the Drina Brigades" athletic marathon, and a mountain hike."