Скачать или смотреть KOSOVO: KLA PLATOON ON PATROL IN JAKOVICA REGION

(11 May 1999) Natural Sound

Close to the Kosovo/Albanian border, the Kosovo Liberation Army is fighting to defend an area they say they liberated a month ago.

They are hoping to push back the Yugoslav army, link up with other K-L-A units dispersed throughout the province and, eventually, free Kosovo.

Many of the soldiers serving in this region are ethnic Albanian recruits from the United States and Western European countries.

A K-L-A platoon in the Jakovica region prepares for another day of defending their territory from Yugoslav forces.

A commander with battle experience from the Bosnian conflict of 1992-1993, briefs his men of expected enemy troop movements.

They are defending an area 15 by 7 kilometres (10 by 4 miles) wide, close to the Albanian border, which they say they liberated from the Yugoslav army a month ago.

NATO too has been concentrating a massive amount of fire power in this area, giving the K-L-A imperative air support.

K-L-A recruits from countries like the United States, Germany and France are serving here.

Giving support to a cause they feel is worth dying for.

During their patrol, a small Yugoslav scout unit made contact.

And the tight-knit K-L-A platoon responded with precision.

The new recruits and their hardened veterans take precise orders from their commander.

Ironically, they are using Russian made AK-47s to fight the Yugoslavs.

With only two men slightly wounded during this exchange of fire, they count themselves lucky.

On Sunday, Albanian T-V reported the death of a French recruit, yet to be identified, who was also fighting on this front line.

Further along, another section prepares to take up positions above the Yugoslav forces.

A spotter picking out their target below, while prowling NATO jets can be heard far above.

Quick hit operations are the most effective, as Yugoslav heavy artillery usually responds with deadly force.

This time, the unit was on target.

Their struggle to free their beloved Kosovo one step closer to reality.

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