Serbs, NATO troops hurt in Kosovo clash

The incident broke out on Friday when hundreds of Serbs gathered near the town of Zvecan to stop the troops from removing barricades blocking traffic. The clash began upon the arrival of the NATO Kosovo Force soldiers in armored personnel carriers.

The soldiers fired rubber bullets, live rounds and tear gas against the Serbs who were throwing stones at a roadblock.

The German army announced that the injured soldiers were German nationals, and were hit by live rounds.

Pristina declared independence from Serbia in 2008. This comes while the Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs reject Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, recognized by the Western powers, and regard the region as a part of greater Serbia.

The serbs set up roadblocks last year to avoid the ethnic Albanian government in Pristina from expanding control over the area.

Local sources said NATO soldiers received reinforcements, right after the initial clashes, adding that several NATO helicopters were deployed to monitor the area.

Oliver Ivanovic, Serbia’s state secretary for Kosovo, accused NATO of planning to revive tension amid attempts to reopen the EU-mediated talks, saying “This is very dangerous and could escalate.”

Meanwhile, Dragisa Milovic, the mayor of Zvecan, said the troops did not permit Serb medical teams to help the injured Serbs.

“A [KFOR] commander told me they have the authority to use deadly force on anyone who throws a stone or uses a weapon,” he added.

SAB/PKH

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