ALBANIAN SOURCES WARN OF HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN RESNIK

( Editorial: --> 3281 ) PRISTINA, Sept 26 (Hina) - Serbian forces are retreating from the east of Mt Cicavica, near Vučitrn, Kosovo Albanian sources confirmed on Saturday. They also warned of the extremely difficult humanitarian situation in Resnik, where almost 40,000 Kosovo refugees are located. The refugees are at risk due to the lack of food, water and medicines and the increasingly cold weather. Furthermore, the International Committee of the Red Cross only on Friday managed to evacuate several heavily wounded. During their four-day offensive in the area, Serbian forces shelled 21 Albanian villages, 18 of which were completely destroyed and burned. Nine Albanians were killed and an unconfirmed number injured in the fighting, the same source said. The battles between Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army in Srbica, in the Drenica region, lasted all day Friday. During the action, Serbian forces attacked six villages in the Drenica region, and so far one Albanian has been confirmed killed. Serbian forces continue to send heavy reinforcements to the area. (hina) av/rml 261341 MET sep 98