This led to controversy, and debate in the Macedonian public over whether the government should intervene and take down the Albanian flags.
Since June there had been a debate in the parliament about the use of the Albanian flag, some MPs supporting that it be allowed to be hoisted on public holidays and other festivities.
The announcement of Macedonian parties that they would take down the flags caused a heated atmosphere in the Albanian community.
Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski decided to conduct a police operation to remove the flags.
4 were killed in the ensuing battles in July amid a wave of violent street demonstrations and gunfire strikes in the Albanian-majority cities.