A memorial service held early Tuesday in the church of St. Dimitrije in Mitrovica, northern Kosovo, marked the start of commemorations of the 16th anniversary of the onset of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

The service was attended by citizens, officials of the government Office for Kosovo-Metohija, officials of northern Kosovo municipalities and the head of the Kosovska Mitrovica District Vaso Jelic.

After the memorial service, wreathes and flowers were laid at the Truth memorial, situated near the main bridge on the River Ibar in Mitrovica.

Sixteen years ago, 19 NATO member countries started a war against FR Yugoslavia that claimed thousands of innocent victims, causing catastrophic destruction in the country, North Mitrovica Mayor Goran Rakic said.

The fact that NATO named its military operation Merciful Angel is shameful and devastating, as is the fact that it declared all innocent victims collateral damage, Rakic also said.

The anniversary of the start of the NATO bombing of Serbia was commemorated similarly in other municipalities of northern Kosovo.