All the injured troops suffered multiple injuries, including fractures and burns caused by improvised explosive devices, the statement added.
KFOR said 3 Hungarian soldiers had been wounded by gunfire, but their lives were not in danger.
The statement said the KFOR mission had increased its presence in the four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo to reduce the risk of escalation after newly elected mayors tried to take office.
“KFOR always operates with firmness and restraint, within strict rules of engagement (Roe). In this case, it responded to unprovoked attacks by a violent and dangerous mob, while carrying out its UN mandate in an impartial manner,” read the statement.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also confirmed that “there are no serious injuries” among the Italian soldiers injured in Monday’s clashes.
The Italian servicemen are “being treated in Kosovo and our ambassador will visit them this morning,” Tajani told Radio Anch’io on Rai Radio1.
“The Italian military is part of a NATO mission that aims to prevent the eruption of a new conflict between Kosovo and Serbs,” added Tajani.
ANSA
