Macedonia is observing a second day of national mourning on May 11 for eight police officers killed during a weekend battle against gunmen in the northern town of Kumanovo. Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said 14 suspected gunmen also were killed in the battle, which began early on May 9 in the town near the borders with Kosovo and Serbia.
In a nationwide television address late on May 10, Ivanov said police had “prevented coordinated terrorist attacks at different locations in the country that would cause serious destabilization, chaos, and fear.” He said the gunmen were “extremists and criminals with remarkable military training and skills.”
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski named five leaders of the armed group, all citizens of Kosovo. Gruevski said the gunmen had combat experience in the Balkans and in the Middle East, but were not supported by members of Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian minority.
In a nationwide television address late on May 10, Ivanov said police had “prevented coordinated terrorist attacks at different locations in the country that would cause serious destabilization, chaos, and fear.” He said the gunmen were “extremists and criminals with remarkable military training and skills.”
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski named five leaders of the armed group, all citizens of Kosovo. Gruevski said the gunmen had combat experience in the Balkans and in the Middle East, but were not supported by members of Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian minority.
