This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18294949#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Shots fired as K-For tackles Kosovo Serb roadblocks | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least three Serbs and two K-For soldiers have been injured in a clash in northern Kosovo during an attempt by peacekeepers to clear roadblocks. | |
Soldiers from the Nato-led force reportedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas after Serbs threw stones, at a roadblock near the town of Zvecan. | |
Both soldiers were shot, reportedly hit by pistol fire from the crowd. | |
Serbs set up roadblocks last year after Kosovo and the EU tried to take control of the disputed border with Serbia. | |
The border has been the scene of recurrent violence between K-For and ethnic Serbs who make up the majority in northern Kosovo. | |
Serbia's new nationalist President, Tomislav Nikolic, was sworn in on Thursday. | |
Earlier this week, Mr Nikolic said he would "never" recognise Kosovo as an independent state, even if it meant sacrificing the chance of EU membership. | |
'Very dangerous' | 'Very dangerous' |
Several hundred Serbs had gathered in the village of Rudare to protect barricades, and fighting began when K-For troops in armoured personnel carriers moved in. | Several hundred Serbs had gathered in the village of Rudare to protect barricades, and fighting began when K-For troops in armoured personnel carriers moved in. |
K-For said in a statement it had started removing roadblocks to "improve freedom of movement" for both its troops and the citizens. | K-For said in a statement it had started removing roadblocks to "improve freedom of movement" for both its troops and the citizens. |
The German army confirmed two of its soldiers had received non-life threatening gun injuries. | |
One was reportedly hit in the ear, the other in the arm. | |
Oliver Ivanovic, the official dealing with Kosovo in Serbia's outgoing government, said three Serbs had been injured. | Oliver Ivanovic, the official dealing with Kosovo in Serbia's outgoing government, said three Serbs had been injured. |
The nature of their injuries was unclear, with unconfirmed reports of bullets also being fired by Nato soldiers. | |
He criticised K-For, accusing it of reviving tension at a time when efforts were being made to unblock EU-mediated talks. | He criticised K-For, accusing it of reviving tension at a time when efforts were being made to unblock EU-mediated talks. |
The situation, he warned, was "very dangerous and could escalate". | The situation, he warned, was "very dangerous and could escalate". |
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority broke away from Serbia in 1999 following the war between Belgrade and Nato, and they declared independence in 2008. | Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority broke away from Serbia in 1999 following the war between Belgrade and Nato, and they declared independence in 2008. |
At least 80 countries have recognised Kosovo as a state, but a larger number, led by Serbia and Russia, have withheld recognition. | At least 80 countries have recognised Kosovo as a state, but a larger number, led by Serbia and Russia, have withheld recognition. |