US troops were bombarded with stones, bricks and snowballs as they took part in a K-For major search for illegal weapons in the divided Kosovo town of Mitrovica on Sunday.

K-For had instructions to search for arms inside all houses and flats.

Serbs complained of excessive use of force by the American soldiers.

A French unit seized illegal weapons inside a Serb house.

Outside, French troops tried to calm down Serbs who were confronting American soldiers.

Serbs make an obscene gesture towards US soldiers as French K-For troops form a barrier between both groups.

Some American troops had to protect themselves behind walls from the stones thrown.

Local Serbs also threw snowballs as they tried to drive the US troops away

Eventually, the Americans retreated to their vehicles and drive away - K-For later said the searches would continue.