Estonian unit patroling Kosovo's Mitrovica
28.02.2008
TALLINN, Feb 28, BNS - An Estonian reconnaissance unit serving in Kosovo has been assigned its own area of responsibility in the town of Mitrovica in the north of the country.
The ESTRIF-3 platoon is responsible for two sections of Mitrovica, a spokeswoman for the General Staff said.
One section is a predominantly Albanian community and the other has a mostly Roma population. Estonian soldiers are also guarding a bridge connecting North and South Mitrovica.
The northern bank of the Ibar River dividing Mitrovica is home to 20,000 Serbs and the southern bank, to 80,000 ethnic Albanians.
The situation in the area is calm and no incidents have been reported.
Following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, the Estonian unit manned a crossing point on Kosovo's border with Serbia near the Gasivode reservoir north of Mitrovica.
The 26-strong platoon ESTRIF-3 formed on the basis of the Kaitseliit (Defense League) voluntary corps is serving in Kosovo as part of a Danish battalion.
The Estonian defense forces have been participating in the NATO-led peace enforcement operation in Kosovo since the end of 1999.
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8814, sise@bns.ee
 
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