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Kosovo clashes force UN pullout Kosovo clashes force UN pullout
(39 minutes later)
United Nations police in Kosovo have been forced to withdraw from Serbian areas in the divided city of Mitrovica after clashes with Serb demonstrators. UN police in Kosovo have been forced to withdraw from the Serb stronghold in northern Mitrovica after riots in which several policemen were injured.
At least 22 UN police and eight Nato troops were reported injured after a raid to retake a court seized by Serbs. About 70 Serb civilians were injured as well as at least 36 members of the UN police or the Nato-led military K-For.
Nato troops - who used tear gas as they faced gunfire, stones and petrol bombs - have now taken control of security. The clashes began after the UN tried to wrest control of a courthouse seized by the Serbs last week.
Nato has condemned the unrest and says it will deal "firmly" with any further acts of violence. It is the worst unrest since Kosovo's independence declaration last month which Serbia says is illegal.
It is the worst unrest since Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence last month, which has not been recognised by Serbia or by Kosovo's Serbs.
It also coincides with the fourth anniversary of rioting in Mitrovica by Kosovo Albanians which drove some 4,000 people, mainly Serbs, from their homes, and left at least 19 people dead, according to UN figures.It also coincides with the fourth anniversary of rioting in Mitrovica by Kosovo Albanians which drove some 4,000 people, mainly Serbs, from their homes, and left at least 19 people dead, according to UN figures.
Gunfire reports
K-For has taken over security in the town where Serbs are concentrated on the northern side of the river.
Nato says it will deal "firmly" with any further acts of violence.
At least 70 Serbs were treated for injuries, including one person with a gunshot wound to the head, according to Kosovo Serb hospital sources quoted by Serbian media and the Associated Press news agency.
Stones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troops
Most of the UN or K-For personnel injured were Polish or Ukrainian.
The violence began after about 100 UN police arrested 53 Serbs occupying a UN court in the north of the city.
Scores of protesters blocked the police vehicles as they tried to leave and rocks and petrol bombs were thrown, according to Kosovo police.
Almost half of those arrested were set free during the violence, and UN and Nato vehicles were set alight.
Three UN policemen and two K-For soldiers were injured in an explosion, thought to have been caused by a hand grenade, and there were reports of gunfire in the town.
As the situation escalated, UN police were ordered to withdraw, leaving Nato K-For troops to control the situation.
'Excessive force''Excessive force'
Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said troops would "respond firmly to ensure a safe and secure environment".Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said troops would "respond firmly to ensure a safe and secure environment".
When we were coming out of the compound, the van I was in was stopped by Serbs who trashed it and freed us Dragoljub DrazevicSerb protester In pictures: Mitrovica riotingWhen we were coming out of the compound, the van I was in was stopped by Serbs who trashed it and freed us Dragoljub DrazevicSerb protester In pictures: Mitrovica rioting
"The rioters who have used Molotov cocktails, grenades and possible automatic weapons fire have gravely violated the law," he added."The rioters who have used Molotov cocktails, grenades and possible automatic weapons fire have gravely violated the law," he added.
A UN spokesman told the BBC that Nato K-For troops had been left in control of the situation after the police withdrew and initial reports suggested the situation was calming down. The European Commission voiced its full support for the efforts of the UN administration and K-For to maintain order, saying violence was unacceptable.
Serbian President Boris Tadic and the European Commission have called for restraint. Serbian President Boris Tadic accused the international forces in Kosovo of using "excessive force" and warned of "an escalation of unrest on all the territory of the province".
Mr Tadic is reported to have accused the international forces in Kosovo of "using excessive force," and warned of "an escalation of unrest on all the territory of the province".
Serbia's minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic, who earlier discussed the courthouse occupation with the UN, also criticised the security forces' actions, saying they had "provoked the citizenry".
The European Commission, however, gave its backing to the peacekeepers.
"The commission wants to express its full support to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Unmik, and to K-For in maintaining order in Kosovo," said a spokesman.
"Violence is unacceptable. All parties should work together to build a multi-ethnic Kosovo based on the rule of law and the respect of democracy."
Police van 'trashed'
Monday's violence started after some 100 UN police arrested 53 Serbs in the operation to retake the UN court in a Serb-run part of the city.
Stones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troops
Kosovo police spokesman Veton Elshani said the police had met "no resistance from the other side".
However, he added, a crowd of about 200 to 300 protesters then gathered in front of the court and "started to throw rocks and Molotov cocktails".
A UN convoy transporting those detained in the raid was then attacked, and some of the demonstrators managed to escape.
Dragoljub Drazevic, one of the freed protesters, told AFP:
"Police stormed into the building this morning... They handcuffed us, searched the offices and put us in a police van.
"When we were coming out of the compound, the van I was in was stopped by Serbs who trashed it and freed us."
In the violence that followed, UN and Nato vehicles were set alight.
Three UN policemen and two Nato K-For soldiers were injured in an explosion, thought to have been caused by a hand grenade. Several protesters were also hurt.
As the situation escalated, UN police were ordered to withdraw, leaving Nato K-For troops to control the situation.
A spokesman for the Polish national police, which has 115 officers serving with Unmik, said none of the police injuries were life-threatening but some had been "unable to get back into their vehicle unaided".
RalliesRallies
Many of the protesters who seized the court last week are said to be former staff who lost their jobs in 1999 at the end of the war in Kosovo, when it came under UN administration.Many of the protesters who seized the court last week are said to be former staff who lost their jobs in 1999 at the end of the war in Kosovo, when it came under UN administration.
Serbs had staged rallies outside the building for several weeks, preventing ethnic Albanian court employees from crossing the bridge over the Ibar River that divides Mitrovica into a Serb-run north and an Albanian south.Serbs had staged rallies outside the building for several weeks, preventing ethnic Albanian court employees from crossing the bridge over the Ibar River that divides Mitrovica into a Serb-run north and an Albanian south.
Tension in the region has risen sharply since Kosovo declared independence.Tension in the region has risen sharply since Kosovo declared independence.
Last week, Serbs tried to take control of a railway line in northern Kosovo.Last week, Serbs tried to take control of a railway line in northern Kosovo.
In February, some 150 Kosovo Serb police officers were suspended for refusing to take orders from the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Kosovo's capital, Pristina.In February, some 150 Kosovo Serb police officers were suspended for refusing to take orders from the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Kosovo's capital, Pristina.
Most EU states and the US have recognised Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.Most EU states and the US have recognised Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.
Serbia - backed by its ally Russia - says the move is illegal.Serbia - backed by its ally Russia - says the move is illegal.
Are you in Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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