33 years ago, 127 residents of Aerodromsko Naselje were killed, hundreds taken to camps and tortured

(Patria) - The 33rd anniversary of the crime against the civilian population of this settlement, committed on June 17, 1992, during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was marked at the memorial in Aerodromsko Naselje. In memory of the killed neighbors, relatives, and friends, those present paid tribute to the victims by reciting Fatiha and laying flowers.

On this day in 1992, the residents of this settlement experienced an unprecedented crime. In the early morning hours, Niš special forces entered the settlement and, with information they received from residents of Serbian nationality, began a massacre of the innocent population. 127 residents of this settlement were killed, and more than 500 were taken to the Kula, Lukavica, Ilidža camps, and Nedžarići barracks, where they endured various humiliations and torture.

The Mayor of Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality, Semir Efendić, emphasized that a large number of anniversaries and important dates from the period of aggression against BiH are marked in June in the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality, stressing the importance of preserving the culture of remembrance and gathering at places of suffering to pass on the truth to new generations.

“Almost the entire month of June, we have events and dates that marked the period of the defense-liberation war, or rather the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the defense of Novi Grad Municipality, Sarajevo, and BiH. On June 1st, we marked the death of children at a Bajram tournament in Dobrinja, a few days ago was June 14th when the residents of Ahatovići were killed on a bus, today we are in Aerodromsko Naselje, where a large number of residents were taken to camps and killed in early 1992, but citizens also suffered throughout all the years of aggression. Also, on June 12th, we marked the anniversary of Safet Isović's death, and today is the anniversary of the death of the late Safet Zajka. Throughout the month, we have activities related to remembering what happened and those who gave their lives for the defense of our municipality and the state of BiH,” said Mayor Efendić.

He expressed gratitude to all associations from the Novi Grad municipality who, together with the Municipality, implement the calendar of marking significant events and personalities, as well as to all citizens and family members who join these events.

“In Novi Grad, we thus keep alive everything that happened, now three decades ago, and we do not allow time to cover up the memories of everything that happened to us. This is very important for our future, for our environment, and because we must be aware that we live in an environment that, if we are unprepared and asleep, can commit the same atrocities against us again. We must be aware of this and be strong enough so that no one dares to do what was done 30 years ago,” said Mayor Efendić.

The President of the Association of Camp Detainees of Novi Grad, Ismet Salihagić, reminded that June 17, 1992, must not be forgotten, because on that day, the residents of Aerodromsko Naselje went through one of the most difficult moments during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“On this day, June 17, 1992, a crime was committed against the population of Aerodromsko Naselje, when a large number of citizens were killed, and over 500 were taken to the Kula camps, Slaviša Vajner Čiča barracks, Slobodan Princip Seljo. I was arrested on April 29th and taken to the Kula camp, and then transferred to Pale, where I spent 42 days, after which I was exchanged. It is important that these people, whose names are written on the memorial plaque in Aerodromsko Naselje, are never forgotten and that this crime is never repeated,” stated Salihagić.

A delegation from the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality and the Municipal Council with Mayor Semir Efendić, surviving camp detainees, family members, relatives, and friends of the killed residents of Aerodromsko Naselje laid flowers at the memorial. During the commemoration, students of the Primary School “Osman Nuri Hadžić” performed a special recital dedicated to the martyrs and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.