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| The village of Lodja, south of
Pec, was the location of heavy clashes on 5, 6 and 7 July
and Istinic also sustained shell-fire. In addition,
fighting around the location of the Trepca mine, in Stari
Trg, north east of Kosovska Mitrovica, commenced and
continued over many days. Also at the beginning of July,
the village of Kijevo, on the road between Pristina and
Pec, fell under the control of the Serbian/FRY forces
after a concerted attack, although the surrounding area
was still controlled by the UCK. Once again, the
international community, including KDOM, was denied
access to this area. By 22 July, reports were being received that Orahovac had come under complete MUP control, after significant clashes with the UCK. It was further reported that the town had been abandoned by its residents, many of whom had fled towards Malisevo. Lurid accounts of executions and other atrocities during the fighting in Orahovac began to be received by the press and KDOM and this served only to increase the mounting panic of the local population. After this, and towards the end of July, the Serbian/FRY forces launched significant new offensives across Kosovo, including the area west of Pristina aimed at retaking the road to Pec, the area east of Suva Reka, and in the region of Blace and Dulje, where there was a significant VJ presence. The MUP also reported fighting between themselves and the UCK for control of the road between Suva Reka and Stimlje, while they also appeared to be making progress towards the UCK stronghold of Malisevo. These operations seemed to mark a turning point in the conflict, the UCK losing much of its previously gained territory. The local press reported that the Serbian/FRY forces were operating in three fighting zones at this time – Gryka e Carraleves, Gryka e Lapushnikut and Kijevo – in order to isolate the UCK bases in the Decane, Reke e Keqe and Drenica regions. |
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