Kosovo resumes bid to clear country of land mines

TIRANA, Albania – Kosovo's Defense Ministry says military personnel have resumed the annual process of clearing the country of land mines.

Mines have killed more than 100 people and wounded several hundred others in Kosovo over the past two decades.

Serbia's army planted hundreds of thousands of land mines and other explosive devices during the Kosovo war in 1998-1999, and there is also a threat from unexploded bombs dropped from NATO jets during its air campaign that halted a Serbian crackdown on ethnic Albanian independence fighters. Kosovo's 2008 independence hasn't been recognized by Serbia.

Kosovo's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that this year's demining work will cover three areas: Hani i Elezit and Ferizaj in the south, and Gjakova in the west. Demining only takes place in the warmer months.