Report on the Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Kosovo

On 27 July, EU KDOM observed that Blace and Dulje were being subjected to artillery fire by VJ forces and that these villages were deserted. Furthermore, the UCK claimed that Serbian tank crews had looted houses and then set fire to them and that special forces, milicija and VJ troops participated in the operation. Action in the area of Rudnik and south and south-west of Srbica in the direction of Lausa and Glogovac was reported and UCK sources stated that on 2 and 3 August, security forces attacked south from Srbica and Rudnik, destroying many villages, while US KDOM was denied access to these areas³³. As a result of these new offensives, by 31 July, MUP forces were in control of the major roads in the interior of Kosovo. Previous UCK checkpoints on the road from Pristina to Pec and Lapusnik to Zrze and Pec had been dismantled. However, the UCK apparently still held control of areas east and west of the road between Malisevo and Orahovac.

In the area on the border with Albania, troop and vehicle movements were visible at the end of July, around the villages of Panosevac and Smonica. Many smoke plumes could be seen coming from this area by both the ECMM in northern Albania and KDOM within Kosovo. The town of Junik, which was occupied by the UCK, remained under siege and was being subjected to heavy shelling. EU KDOM reported that the town, which was one of the largest UCK bases, was surrounded by MUP forces, who made an offer of safe passage for unarmed persons within the town who wished to leave, and warned that any attack on the police would result in the complete destruction of the village. In addition, MUP reinforcements could be observed entering the area from the north. On 2 August, east of the road between Decane and Djakovica, there was also clearly heavy fighting between the UCK and VJ and MUP forces, particularly in the area of Prilep.

Fighting was also reported east of Klina, on 2 August, and smoke was observed by US KDOM from this area and to the south of Kijevo. South and south-east of Klina, the villages of Dolovo, Gornje Grabinica, Novo Selo and Zaimovo were evidently being systematically burnt. The town of Malisevo, which had been a stronghold for the UCK, itself fell under the control of MUP forces by the end of July and the majority of its population, along with the many Kosovars who had arrived in the town after fleeing their homes elsewhere, abandoned the area. In the following days, the damage to the town increased rapidly as the MUP continued to loot and destroy property. KDOM reported the visible bullet pock-marking, artillery/tank round holes as well as the damage from arson. Moreover, on 4 August US KDOM observed the security forces (MUP) blatantly looting shops.

In addition, from Malisevo to Lapusnik it was apparent that more and more farms were burning and these deserted towns were becoming increasingly damaged. US KDOM observed many newly burning houses in Lapusnik and noted a group of partially uniformed MUP in the vicinity of these fires. Furthermore, Blace was reported as being severely

A witness described the attack on Radishevo, a small village of approximately 200 inhabitants to the north of Rudnik, on 25 July. According to the witness, Serbian/FRY forces arrived from the north and started shelling in the morning, whereupon the local population began to flee. The witness then saw Serbian police infantry, wearing blue and black uniforms surrounding the village. People tried to protect themselves with hunting rifles, hatchets, hoes etc, but the Serbian/FRY forces were armed with rocket launchers, cannons, Katuyshas, and tanks. At least two civilians were executed during the attack, according to this witness.