There have been allegations that the guerrillas receive support from neighbouring Kosovo, but the province's three most influential political leaders made clear on Friday that they do not back the rebellion. Heavy explosions and smoke rising from the hillside around Tetovo signified the intensification of shelling by government forces. Civilians have been ordered to move Army commanders have been given the authority to carry out an all-out offensive to wipe out the rebels, but this has yet to materialise. Civilians have been warned to pack up and leave the areas at the heart of the conflict. Tensions have been high in Tetovo since a father and son were shot dead by Macedonian security forces on Thursday.
Macedonian officers say they fired on the two men to prevent a grenade attack.
The dead men's friends and family say they were innocent victims and that the supposed grenade was a mobile phone. The guerrillas have threatened to escalate the conflict if the Macedonian authorities reject their offer of a truce and talks. The international community is providing political and financial support to Macedonia in its fight against the guerillas, but is at the same time urging the restraint on both sides.