Macedonia says 23 security officers injured in clashes with migrants

A total of 23 Macedonian security officers are injured on Sunday in the clashes with the migrants trying to enter Macedonian territory from Greece, Macedonian Ministry of Interior reported.

The ministry confirmed 14 policemen and nine soldiers from the army are among the injured. Additionally, three police vehicles,five army vehicles and many police shields and other equipment were damaged.

The migrants from Idomeni camp in Greece threw stones and other objects at the Macedonian security forces in several attempts to breach the security fence at the border and enter Macedonian territory by force.

"According to initial assessments, around 3,000 migrants took part in the attacks at the border." Macedonian Ministry of Interior announced in a written statement Sunday evening.

In the statement, the police explained that during the day there were two major attacks at the border - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The security forces used tear gas and water cannons to stop the migrants. The security at the border was raised to the highest possible level.

The Macedonian NGO Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, whose activists work in the border area helping the migrants,called upon the Macedonian security forces to take outmost care for the protection and the respect of the human rights of the migrants while securing the borderline.

Macedonian-Greek border was closed since February. Still more than 10,000 migrants remain in the camp Idomeni on Greek territory. They refuse to return in hope that they will be left to continue their journey across Macedonia towards Western Europe. Enditem