Clashes With Albanian Militants Resumed In Macedonia

Clashes between security forces and Albanian militants have been resumed in Macedonia in the area of the city Kumanovo and near Tetovo. The more fierce skirmishes have been noted on the approaches to the settlement Lipkovo in the north of the republic, where considerable forces of Albanian terrorists have been concentrated. According to the reports that are coming in, Macedonian troops have established control over one of militants' major strong-points - the village Slupcane, but have not entered the village, fearing that it has been mined. According to the data provided by the defense ministry, during the battles for this village, 20 Albanian extremists have been killed. The rest are believed to retreat in the direction of Kosovo. About a dozen villages in the north and west of the country are still in the hands of Albanian terrorists.