Battle of Muriq

The Battle of Muriq happened in 1861-1862 between Albanian highlanders from Muriq, near Shkodra , and Montenegrin forces led by Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš. The Montenegrins, led by General Mirko Petrović and his captains, planned to attack Muriq to take control of the area.

Battle of Muriq
Part of Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1861–1862)
Date 1861 Location Muriq, Shkodra Result Albanian victory
Belligerents
Northern Albanian Highlander	Principality of Montenegro
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Ilija Plamenac Nikola I Joko Kusovac Đoko Pejović
Strength
Unknown	600 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy losses

Background

Krajë was a border area between Montenegro and Albania, with the village of Cermnicë in the middle. In the 1700s, the tribes of Cermnica and Limnjan, with help from Cetinje, fought against Albanians in Krajë.

The border between the Ottoman Empire and Montenegro was officially decided in 1859, running through Lake Skadar and nearby mountains. After Prince Nikola I replaced Danilo I in 1860, Montenegro strengthened its defenses and expanded into Albanian lands. For 400 years, Krajë had been an important region for the Malësors in terms of history, culture, and economy.

Battle

On November 15, 1861, Pope Savo Vujović led a fierce attack on Lower Muriq. The Montenegrins aimed to kill as many Albanians as possible and loot their belongings. The Albanians, with help from their women, fiercely defended their homes, and many houses became strong fortresses. The Montenegrins were defeated, and Pope Savo Vujović was killed, just as he had predicted.

News of the battle spread, and people from Shkodra came to help. Reinforcements were sent to the Montenegrins, but the fighting stopped, and they retreated to Krricë and Cermicë.

The people of Šestani did not fight the Montenegrins during or after the attack on Muriq, but they killed eight Montenegrins from Orahova who had stayed behind in Lower Šestani.