NEZUK, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Anadolu)

The annual 'Peace March' in its 31st edition set off from the town of Nezuk in eastern Bosnia on Wednesday to commemorate the Srebrenica massacre, which claimed the lives of more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim civilians at the hands of Bosnian Serb forces.

The march, with over 6,000 participants, lasts three days along the forest route known as the 'Death Road,' which civilians took to escape the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in 1995.

Participants are planned to walk about 100 km during the march, ending at the Potocari cemetery on July 10.

During his speech to Anadolu, Bosnian Ismet Salman said everyone should take part in this march at least once.

Salman added: 'It is our duty not to allow what happened to be forgotten, and never to overlook what we have endured and what may happen again.'

He mentioned that he would participate carrying the Palestinian flag in solidarity with the Palestinians who are facing genocide by Israel.

On her part, Amra Hashemi, who came from Austria and originally from Srebrenica, said she is participating in the march with her husband and daughter, noting that she lost a large number of relatives in the massacre.

Hashemi added: 'I think I will feel the weight of the experience more after covering part of the road. I am proud to have come here with my daughter.'

Similarly, Mirsa Mehinagic (77 years old), coming from the city of Bar in Montenegro, said she is participating in the march for the 20th time.

A large number of children also took part in the march, along with participants from Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other countries.

It is noteworthy that Bosnian Serb forces led by Ratko Mladic entered Srebrenica on July 11, 1995, after it was declared a safe area by the United Nations.

Over several days, the Serbian forces committed a mass massacre claiming the lives of 8,372 Bosnians, aged between 7 and 70, after Dutch forces stationed there handed over tens of thousands of Bosnians to the Serbian forces.

Annually on July 11, Bosnia and Herzegovina holds a burial ceremony for the remains of victims of the Srebrenica massacre at the Potocari cemetery, whose remains were found in the search for victims of mass graves.