Kiseljak village attack: 13-year-old Ivana Širić killed in 1993 raid

On August 16, 1993, during the Bosnian War, members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Armija BiH) entered the village of Kiseljak near Žepče while disguised in HVO uniforms. The diversionary raid escalated into a violent attack on the civilian population.

Among the victims was the Širić family. Ankica Širić, who survived the attack after feigning death while wounded in both legs, witnessed the deaths of her husband, mother-in-law, and 13-year-old daughter, Ivana Širić. The family members killed included Florijan, aged 30, his 59-year-old mother, and his 60-year-old father.

Ivana Širić’s death was marked by her final words to her mother as she was shot. The family continues to seek justice for the events that occurred during the raid.