These are all towns in the southern part of Serbia with an Albanian ethnic majority. Albanian political parties in Macedonia want a change in the constitution to reflect this demographic fact. Control of the porous border is extremely lucrative. The lawless frontiers have become an international crossroads for drugs and arms smugglers, and for the trade in illegal migration. The country launched its first big offensive against the NLA in March.
Estimates vary, but most observers believe that at best the rebels have only a few hundred fighters.
However, the group has close links to the much bigger Kosovo Liberation Army, which was supposed to have disbanded after Nato troops took control of the province in 1999. Western military officials warn that the NLA withdrew in good order in March, saving its men and weaponry. It is not in their remit to cross the Macedonian border, and to control the Kosovo side would take thousands of troops. Instead, Nato and the EU recommend internal reforms to give the Albanian minority better representation and equal rights with the Slav majority.