Albanian police said on Saturday (August 19) that they had arrested four people in last 24 hour for causing fires just as soldiers and firefighter fought spreading wildfire in the country's touristic southern coastal area.

An army helicopter was seen taking water from the Ionian Sea to douse flames on the hills near the tourist village of Qeparo.

It is a practice of many farmers in Albania to set afire cultivated fields to clear stubble, weeds and waste prior to sowing a new crop. Fourteen people were identified and charged in the country in July for starting wildfires.

Two farmers were arrested over start of a fire close to Qeparo. The fire burnt dozens of hectares and endangered houses and olive tree plantations, according to the police.

A drone footage was released by the police showing two police officials running after one of the men on a hill before eventually arresting him.

Police said two other people in the eastern town of Elbasan were also arrested after they set ablaze their land but the fire soon went out of control burning large areas.

Albania's Ministry of Defence said 95 fires had been reported in the first two weeks of August, compared to 201 fires in June and July.

The country's army has said that 40 soldiers have been sent to help local authorities fight the fire. The soldiers have been provided with shovels and means to carry water on their backs on hills.

Police said two people in the eastern town of Elbasan were also arrested for burning their land after the fire went out of control and spread to other areas.

Police appealed citizens not to "light any fire under any circumstances because this action constitutes a crime and punishable by law."

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Albanian police said on Saturday (August 19) that they had arrested four people in last 24 hour for causing fires just as soldiers and firefighter fought spreading wildfire in the country's touristic southern coastal area.

Albanian police said on Saturday (August 19) that they had arrested four people in last 24 hour for causing fires just as soldiers and firefighter fought spreading wildfire in the country's touristic southern coastal area. An army helicopter was seen taking water from the Ionian Sea to douse flames on the hills near the tourist village of Qeparo. It is a practice of many farmers in Albania to set afire cultivated fields to clear stubble, weeds and waste prior to sowing a new crop. Fourteen people were identified and charged in the country in July for starting wildfires. Two farmers were arrested over start of a fire close to Qeparo. The fire burnt dozens of hectares and endangered houses and olive tree plantations, according to the police. A drone footage was released by the police showing two police officials running after one of the men on a hill before eventually arresting him. Police said two other people in the eastern town of Elbasan were also arrested after they set ablaze their land but the fire soon went out of control burning large areas. Albania's Ministry of Defence said 95 fires had been reported in the first two weeks of August, compared to 201 fires in June and July. The country's army has said that 40 soldiers have been sent to help local authorities fight the fire. The soldiers have been provided with shovels and means to carry water on their backs on hills. Police said two people in the eastern town of Elbasan were also arrested for burning their land after the fire went out of control and spread to other areas. Police appealed citizens not to "light any fire under any circumstances because this action constitutes a crime and punishable by law." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Albanian deploys army to battles wildfires, police arrests four for starting blaze

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in the fourth general election since the former province declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

But Kosovo's status as a nation remains a matter of international dispute, relations with Belgrade are dismal, and its people are fed up with widespread poverty and corruption.&nbsp;

Who recognises Kosovo?

Kosovo formally declared its statehood in 2008, a decade after its ethnic Albanian guerrilla fighters battled Serb troops in a war that cost 13,000 lives, mostly Albanian.

But the former province has struggled to gain full acceptance on the world stage.

Serbia and its allies Russia and China refuse to recognise the split, effectively barring Kosovo from the United Nations.

Kosovo says it is recognised by 116 countries.

But Belgrade claims to have convinced at least a dozen of those nations, mainly small ones, to reverse their recognitions.

According to Serbia's foreign minister, Belgrade's goal is to bring the figure down to under half of the UN's 193 member states.&nbsp;

Where are the Belgrade-Pristina talks?

The long-running EU-led dialogue between the neighbours has been frozen for more than a year, despite several efforts to resuscitate it.&nbsp;

A historic accord signed in 2013 was never implemented after the two sides were unable to agree on what powers to give Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo.

Ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo is still home to about 120,000 ethnic Serbs who are fiercely loyal to Belgrade.

They are most concentrated in the north around the divided city of Mitrovica, where Pristina has struggled to exercise its authority.&nbsp;

There are also around a dozen predominantly Serb enclaves elsewhere in Kosovo.

What do Kosovans care about?&nbsp;

While the West is preoccupied with normalising ties between the former war foes, Kosovans have other pressing issues on their minds.&nbsp;

Corruption and unemployment are the public's top two concerns, according to a survey by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).&nbsp;

Next on the list is a desire to win visa-free travel status in the EU, which all other Balkan states enjoy.

Young people, who make up around half of the population, are especially hit by high unemployment rates and many are eager to emigrate abroad.

When will we know who is Kosovo's next leader?

Not right away.

Kosovo's fractured political scene means that no party is expected to win an absolute majority in the 120-member parliament.&nbsp;

It could take days, if not weeks, to forge a coalition.

After the last election in 2017, parties led by former guerilla commanders joined forces in order to hold onto power.&nbsp;

This time, they are facing a challenge from the centre-right LDK and the nationalist leftist Vetevendosje, who share little in common ideologically but could unite to oust the so-called "war wing".

Is the 'greater Albanian' dream still alive?

Serbia regularly accuses Pristina and Tirana of harbouring plans to merge into one country.

There is not any reliable polling on the sensitive subject, but analysts doubt a majority of Kosovans would be for it, given the potential for destabilisation in the region.&nbsp;

The idea is not taken seriously among most of Kosovo's political elite.

The exception is the leader of the nationalist leftist Vetevendosje party, Albin Kurti, who was for many years a vocal advocate.

But during this campaign he has walked that back, saying: "at the moment, we are not in a position to achieve this unification".

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in the fourth general election since the former province declared independence from Serbia in 2008. But Kosovo's status as a nation remains a matter of international dispute, relations with Belgrade are dismal, and its people are fed up with widespread poverty and corruption.

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in the fourth general election since the former province declared independence from Serbia in 2008. But Kosovo's status as a nation remains a matter of international dispute, relations with Belgrade are dismal, and its people are fed up with widespread poverty and corruption. Who recognises Kosovo? Kosovo formally declared its statehood in 2008, a decade after its ethnic Albanian guerrilla fighters battled Serb troops in a war that cost 13,000 lives, mostly Albanian. But the former province has struggled to gain full acceptance on the world stage. Serbia and its allies Russia and China refuse to recognise the split, effectively barring Kosovo from the United Nations. Kosovo says it is recognised by 116 countries. But Belgrade claims to have convinced at least a dozen of those nations, mainly small ones, to reverse their recognitions. According to Serbia's foreign minister, Belgrade's goal is to bring the figure down to under half of the UN's 193 member states. Where are the Belgrade-Pristina talks? The long-running EU-led dialogue between the neighbours has been frozen for more than a year, despite several efforts to resuscitate it. A historic accord signed in 2013 was never implemented after the two sides were unable to agree on what powers to give Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo. Ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo is still home to about 120,000 ethnic Serbs who are fiercely loyal to Belgrade. They are most concentrated in the north around the divided city of Mitrovica, where Pristina has struggled to exercise its authority. There are also around a dozen predominantly Serb enclaves elsewhere in Kosovo. What do Kosovans care about? While the West is preoccupied with normalising ties between the former war foes, Kosovans have other pressing issues on their minds. Corruption and unemployment are the public's top two concerns, according to a survey by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Next on the list is a desire to win visa-free travel status in the EU, which all other Balkan states enjoy. Young people, who make up around half of the population, are especially hit by high unemployment rates and many are eager to emigrate abroad. When will we know who is Kosovo's next leader? Not right away. Kosovo's fractured political scene means that no party is expected to win an absolute majority in the 120-member parliament. It could take days, if not weeks, to forge a coalition. After the last election in 2017, parties led by former guerilla commanders joined forces in order to hold onto power. This time, they are facing a challenge from the centre-right LDK and the nationalist leftist Vetevendosje, who share little in common ideologically but could unite to oust the so-called "war wing". Is the 'greater Albanian' dream still alive? Serbia regularly accuses Pristina and Tirana of harbouring plans to merge into one country. There is not any reliable polling on the sensitive subject, but analysts doubt a majority of Kosovans would be for it, given the potential for destabilisation in the region. The idea is not taken seriously among most of Kosovo's political elite. The exception is the leader of the nationalist leftist Vetevendosje party, Albin Kurti, who was for many years a vocal advocate. But during this campaign he has walked that back, saying: "at the moment, we are not in a position to achieve this unification".

Kosovo 11 years on: A contested status and a grim economy 

Albanian police used tear gas on Saturday (March 16) to disperse protesters trying to break into parliament after marching twice around a nearby government building in a campaign for early elections.

The initially peaceful protest became violent when a small number in the several thousand-strong crowd began pushing and throwing stones at police protecting parliament. Some protesters and police suffered minor injuries.

The protest is the fifth since mid-February as the opposition seeks fresh elections after allegations of corruption and electoral fraud. Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party renounced their parliamentary seats in February but a dozen substitute lawmakers took them up.

Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Albania would not have peace until Prime Minister Edi Rama quits to allow free and fair elections.

Albanian police used tear gas on Saturday (March 16) to disperse protesters trying to break into parliament after marching twice around a nearby government building in a campaign for early elections.

Albanian police used tear gas on Saturday (March 16) to disperse protesters trying to break into parliament after marching twice around a nearby government building in a campaign for early elections. The initially peaceful protest became violent when a small number in the several thousand-strong crowd began pushing and throwing stones at police protecting parliament. Some protesters and police suffered minor injuries. The protest is the fifth since mid-February as the opposition seeks fresh elections after allegations of corruption and electoral fraud. Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party renounced their parliamentary seats in February but a dozen substitute lawmakers took them up. Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Albania would not have peace until Prime Minister Edi Rama quits to allow free and fair elections.

Albanian police fire tear gas at protesters calling for snap elections

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Albanian deploys army to battles wildfires, police arrests four for starting blaze

Kosovo 11 years on: A contested status and a grim economy

Albanian police fire tear gas at protesters calling for snap elections