The goal of the attack was to arrest one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Adem Jashari after he was charged with terrorism in absentia along with several other individuals in a trial that was criticized for not conforming to international standards.

[1] Adem Jashari was not present during the attack and the police retreated after being repelled by men inside the compound on 22 January.

The police made a second attempt a day later but were repelled by thousands of Adem Jashari's supporters that descended on the village.

[2] On 30 December 1991, the large convoy of Yugoslav forces with armored vehicles and helicopters conducted a siege of the Jashari compound.

According to Amnesty International, the attack was meant to kill all suspects and their families rather than arresting or apprehending armed Albanians.