NATO soldiers injured in northern Kosovo clashes rises to 30
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA): The number of NATO peacekeeping forces injured from clashes with protesting Serbs in Kosovo has risen to 30, the alliance has announced.
According to a statement, 11 Italian and 19 Hungarian soldiers with the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices.
Three Hungarian soldiers were also wounded by the use of firearms, but their injuries are not life-threatening, said the statement.
The injured personnel are currently under observation at a health facility.
Earlier reports suggested 25 injured soldiers.
Tensions have gripped Kosovo with protesters and security forces clashing in the country’s northern Serb-dominated municipalities over the election of ethnic Albanian Muslim mayors. Albanian Muslims are the largest ethnic group is Kosovo, followed by Greek Orthodox Christian Serbs, especially in the north, near the border with Serbia.
Meanwhile, more than 53 civilians suffered injuries from shock bombs and tear gas, hospital sources said.
One person had surgery and is in intensive care, said Zlatan Elek, director of the Clinical Hospital Center in Mitrovica, a Serb-dominated municipality which was the scene of clashes.
US, Germany condemn violence
Germany and the US condemned the incidents of violence in the region.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the unacceptable violent attacks in northern Kosovo this afternoon, causing dozens of KFOR/NATO soldiers and several civilians to be injured. Our thoughts are with the injured, whom we wish a speedy recovery,” the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement calling for “an immediate halt to all violence.”
US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeff Hovenier also denounced the violence, saying on Twitter: “The U.S. strongly condemns the violent actions of protesters in Zvecan today, including the use of explosives, against NATO’s forces. Troops seeking to keep the peace. We reiterate our call for an immediate halt to violence or actions that inflame tensions or promote conflict.”
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
