30 NATO Peacekeepers in Kosovo Injured during “Violent Clashes” with Ethnic-Serbians

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has announced that 30 soldiers from Kosovo Force (KFOR) have been injured during violent clashes with Ethnic-Serbians in Zvečan, Northern Kosovo.

“The number of peace-keepers wounded during yesteerday’s unprovoked violence in the municipality of Zvečan is 30,” as per an official NATO statement.

The injuries reportedly occurred after explosive and incendiary devices were thrown into the crowd of peacekeepers. “11 soldiers from the Italian contingent and 19 from the Hungarian contingent sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices. Three Hungarian soldiers were wounded by the use of firearms,” the alliance confirmed.

The NATO-led KFOR mission increased its presence in the four municipalities of Northern Kosovo to reduce the risk of escalation, after newly elected mayors tried to take office. KFOR troops were subsequently attacked by increasingly aggressive crowds. “In this case, it (KFOR) responded to the unprovoked attacks of a violent and dangerous crowd, whilst carrying out its UN mandate in an impartial manner.”