(27 Jul 1998) German/Nat
In some of the most intense fighting in months, Serb forces backed by tanks advanced on ethnic Albanian rebels in Kosovo.
The rebels offered strong resistance to the government efforts to clear key roads.
If successful, the Serb operation would split the one-third of the province under rebel control and block escape routes to their sanctuaries in neighbouring Albania.
Villagers in central Kosovo fled heavy shelling of their villages as Serb forces intensified their offensive on Sunday.
Police were battling the Kosovo Liberation Army for control of key roads linking the provincial capital Pristina with major towns to the west and south.
Albanian leaders believe the offensive is an attempt by the government to bolster its position before more talks on the future of Kosovo province.
Serb shelling in the villages of Blace and Dulje forced many families to abandon their homes.
Villages crouched in surrounding woods as they watched Serb shells slam into their houses.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
" The West must intervene to stop the fighting"
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Both sides said they suffered casualties in the fighting, which has been raging since Friday night along at least three fronts.
Ethnic Albanian sources claimed that eight Albanian civilians have been killed and about 40 wounded in two days of fighting across the province.
SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
" We ran from the house because they started shelling at four in the morning. The Serb army is shooting at my village. I ran away with my children and they burned my house."
SUPER CAPTION: refugee from Blace
Serb sources claimed 11 Albanians died in fighting south of Pristina, while another 20 surrendered to government forces in western Kosovo.
In its account, the Kosovo Information Center, run by separatist ethnic Albanians, reported at least 10 Serb policemen have died in the fighting.
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Негізгі бет KOSOVO: SERB FORCES ADVANCE ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS
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