PRISTINA, March 17 (Hina) - At least nine people were killed and nearly 300 injured in Kosovo on Wednesday in the worst violence since NATO and the United Nations took control of the region in 1999.
PRISTINA, March 17 (Hina) - At least nine people were killed and nearly
300 injured in Kosovo on Wednesday in the worst violence since NATO
and the United Nations took control of the region in 1999.#L#
The worst Serb-Albanian clashes took place in Kosovska Motrovica,
situation is also difficult in the Serb enclave of Caglavica, in
Pristina's suburbs. Incidents were reported in other parts of the
province as well.
Violence in Mitrovica erupted after Albanians gathered to vent their
rage at the drowning deaths of three Albanian boys. According to
Albanian sources, the boys were hounded into the Ibar river by Serbs.
The media in Belgrade reported that two Serbs and seven Albanians were
killed in the clashes.
Hospital sources on the Albanian side reported eight dead and more
than 300 injured, of whom about 20 by a fire gun. Seven people were
killed in Mitrovica, one in Caglavica and one in Pec. According to
unofficial information, one person was killed in Kosovo Polje.
A total of 11 French members of the NATO-led KFOR were injured in the
clashes of whom three severely. Several police officers were also
injured.
Albanian protesters earlier broke though a police blockade in the
southern sector of Kosovska Mitroviva and crossed the bridge over the
Ibar river into the northern, Serbian sector of the town. Albanians
clashed with Serbs and witnesses say shots were fired and two hand
grenades thrown. Members of the international police and the UN
Mission in Kosovo used tear gas and fired shots in an attempt to
prevent the clashes,
Clashes in Mitrovica have calmed down since this afternoon and the UN
Mission in Kosoco and KFOR say the situation is under control.
Hundreds of Albanians broke through a U.N. police cordon outside the
Serb village of Caglavica setting two Serb houses
ablaze. Serbs were reported fleeing their homes as NATO teargas and
stun grenades failed to deter Albanian attackers
Top Kosovo officials and representatives of the international
community have condemned the latest escalation of violence.
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