Macedonian troops in fierce battle with rebels

Macedonian troops have battled with ethnic Albanian rebels in the closest fighting since the start of the six-week conflict.

The two sides clashed near Gajre, in the hills above Tetovo.

By early afternoon, troops had advanced to the outskirts of the village, breaking through a rebel roadblock and apparently forcing the guerrillas to pull back.

The Government advance was preceded by an early-morning mortar barrage meant to soften up the insurgents before the army's move into the foothills.

A convoy of armoured personnel carriers approached Gajre and about 200 soldiers fanned out behind them. Two Government helicopters hovered overhead.

The troops looked nervous but determined. "We are fighting for Macedonia, for everybody here," said one soldier.

But ethnic Albanian residents expressed outrage at the army attack, asserting that the assault was targeting the houses of innocent civilians instead of insurgent positions. Nuri Junozic, 46, said: "They think that every house is a bunker."

Hanife Zeciri, 50, said she would not leave, no matter what the army did: "From my house no one takes me away."

Dust and smoke rose above the mountains just outside the city centre. A few small fires burned out of control.

On the other side of the front line, residents of Shipkovica saw smoke rising from Skelce and Llavce, two villages closer to Tetovo, indicating artillery hits or other fighting. The streets of Shipkovica were empty, with most residents huddling in cellars or other shelters.

The Macedonian army confirmed that the military began a "strong operation to clear out the terrain from the terrorists on the Sara Mountain". Army spokesman Blagoja Markovski said: "We are using all available means."