The deaths could not be independently confirmed. The Macedonian army, which has tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles, has been impatient to move against the more poorly- armedl guerrillas who claim to be acting in defence of Albanian rights. Around 10,000 ethnic Albanian villagers are estimated to be still in their homes in the rebel-held area. The government says they are being held as human shields. Despite almost daily appeals, only a few thousand villagers have heeded the call to leave the area and many remain.
Independent report say some support the guerrillas, while others are afraid to leave their homes.
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