The Macedonian army, firing heavy artillery, joined police units for the first time in battling ethnic Albanian holding hilltops above the northern town of Tetovo.
"The army joined the actions against the terrorists at 4:00p.m. (3:00p.m. Irish time)," an army spokesman said.
"We are using all means at our disposal but the troops are taking care to protect human lives," he said.
The attack comes despite a call by Macedonia's two main Albanian parties urging ethnic Albanian guerrillas to lay down their arms and return to their homes.
European Union sources said this afternoon that a statement condemning violence between state security forces and rebels in hilltop redoubts overlooking the city of Kosovo, was signed in front of EU Foreign and Security Policy high representative Mr Javier Solana.
Mr Solana said it was a very encouraging first step towards isolating the self-styled National Liberation Army fighters. It was also welcomed by President Boris Trajkovski.
Meanwhile near Totovo, Plumes of smoke rose from near rebel positions and columns of earth were thrown up as heavy artillery lobbed shells at the insurgents, lending their military muscle to special police who have been battling the rebels for seven days.
The army massed tanks and troops in Tetovo yesterday after several days of skirmishing between special police units and rebels holding vantage points overlooking the town.
Witnesses said groups of rebels could be seen coming from the hills only 300 or 400 meters from the town stadium where the special police units are backed by the army units.
Reuters & AFP