Balkan watching (catch all)

[davidbfpo]

Outlaw09 highlighted an unexplained exchange of gunfire in Macedonia (see the first post, after this thread appears) and a gap in our coverage of the region.

So aware that WW1 started with a spark with an assassination @ Sarejevo, it's time for a thread to collect posts and discussion on the region - mainly small, new states.

There are a few historical, closed threads for background reading:

1) Kosovo Independence:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=4924
2) Wahhabism in the Balkans:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=5041
3) Bosnia looks beyond Dayton:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...read.php?t=163

If jihadism appears I suggest readers consult the articles by John Schindler's blog, which regularly reminds us how fertile the region can be:http://20committee.com/category/terrorism/

Although the shooting is not explained these two BBC reports explain, 6th May 2015, there is a political crisis in Macedonia, with some public violence:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32610951 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32612508

[davidbfpo]

Limited reporting via Twitter on the shooting:

A Reuters photographer said special police units in armoured vehicles had locked down a suburb of Kumanovo, some 40 km (25 miles) north of the capital Skopje in an area that saw fighting during an ethnic Albanian insurgency in 2001. Gunfire was heard throughout the morning.

Link:http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/0...0NU0EU20150509

From a local report (not in English):

3 policemen killed, 12 wounded

Link:http://portalb.mk/170442-koha-tre-po...r-ne-kumanove/

A ten minute street scene film clip; looks like army and police deployed:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rrOYEtkEE

[OUTLAW 09]

#Kumanovo RIGHT NOW!
@Op_Albania
pic.twitter.com/oRowR5ymuK

Heavy gunfire in #Kumanovo filmed by a resident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz7YDiKbcNg …

A year ago, I was in my family's village in #Macedonia watching news about ethnic tension with neighbour. 'It will pass' she told herself

AFP: 4 police injured in #Macedonia after clashes with gunmen in a region that has history of ethnic tension http://www.globalpost.com/article/65...sh-armed-group …

Macedonia narrowly avoided all-out ethnic war in 2001...looks like it's getting close again http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/0...0NU0EU20150509 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Serbian press: some 450 Serbian military policemen + some armoured vehicles deployed this afternoon along border with #Macedonia.

#Kumanovo clashes getting regional attention:
#Serbia beefs up border
#Albania's MFA to hold Press Conf
#Kosovo issues statement

[OUTLAW 09]

Grenades and shots heard from part of town known as #DivoNaselje. 2, maybe 3 houses burning. #Kumanovo
via @JordanIva

[OUTLAW 09]

Situation in #Kumanovo far from over it seems, just some minutes ago, many houses on fire. pic via @Nikicakupic.twitter.com/2OQrsIygzn

Reportes on scene say there is increased exchange of gunfire and at least six houses on fire in #Kumanovo now.

[OUTLAW 09]

Reports: #Kumanovo situation is over. 30 terrorists surrendered to police. Locals say no gunfire since 30 minutes. Let's hope it's true!