NATO sends reinforcements as Kosovo death toll rises

NATO is sending reinforcements to Kosovo following the outbreak of ethnic violence, officials said in Brussels.

Nato sent reinforcements to Kosovo today following the outbreak of ethnic violence, officials said in Brussels.

Three companies of peacekeepers – about 350 troops – are being dispatched to the province.

One company of US troops will be deployed from Bosnia, Italy will provide another and a third will come from the NATO-run peacekeeping force’s strategic reserve.

Twenty two people died and about 500 others were injured in prolonged gun battles, riots and street fights between Serbs and ethnic Albanians in the wake of Kosovo’s bloodiest day since the 1999 war.

Three companies of peacekeepers – about 350 troops – were sent to the province after yesterday’s gun battles, riots and street fights between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

One company of US troops and one of Italian soldiers were already on the way from Bosnia to boost the 18,500 peacekeepers already serving with the Nato-led KFOR force in Kosovo.

“Nato believes that KFOR has sufficient troops and capabilities in theatre to help restore stability,” said alliance spokesman James Appathurai, but he said the extra troops were being sent in “as a demonstration of our commitment and our capability.”

Appathurai said Nato ambassadors in Brussels were holding a special meeting to discuss the situation.