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Kosovo Serbs, NATO troops hurt in clashes over road barricade

01 June 2012 21:20 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least three Kosovo Serbs were injured Friday morning in clashes with NATO troops (KFOR) in north of Kosovo while protesting against removing a road barricade near the city of Zvecan, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Medical assistance in Mitrovica hospital has been offered to those injured, local media reported, adding that one of them has life threatening injuries. KFOR troops used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse Serbs protesting against their action.

KFOR confirmed two of its soldiers were also wounded during the removal operation, saying it "is conducting a roadblock removal operation in the vicinity of Rudare..to improve freedom of movement not only for KFOR but also for international organizations and for all people in Kosovo".

"KFOR established numerous vehicle check points and secured areas for safety reasons. This is connected with the roadblock removal and remains temporarily. After the roadblock is removed the vehicle check points and secured areas will be released" reads missions’ statement

State secretary in the Serbian Ministry for Kosovo Oliver Ivanovic condemned the operation claiming it’s very difficult to understand the motive for such an action.

"It seems that Pristina and KFOR are trying to change the reality in the ground while there is still institutional vacuum in Serbia" said Ivanovic.

Serbs in northern Kosovo set up road barricades last summer after Pristina authorities sent special police units in an attempt to take control of two crossing border points with Serbia.

Serbs in the north, like Serbia, reject 2008 unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and oppose Pristina authorities.