VMRO seems to be Russia backed; Socialist Democrats seem to be Albania backed? Macedonia has applied but not been accepted into, NATO. Nato has already chimed in. Both the US and Russia have added their opposing two cents.
More:
Thursday’s violence marked a dramatic escalation in a political crisis that has been simmering since an December’s inconclusive parliamentary election, which was meant to relieve tension after leaked wiretaps appeared to reveal widespread illegal surveillance and corruption orchestrated by the long-ruling VMRO.
The VMRO regards the alliance between the Social Democrats and Albanian parties, including a commitment to upgrade the status of the Albanian language, as a threat to the independence and integrity of Macedonia. In practice Macedonian politics have seen coalitions formed with Albanian parties before.
The Social Democrats say the leaders of the old government know they face corruption charges, and so are desperate to cling to power. Russia claimed the Social Democrats were willing to spill blood in the streets of Macedonia as part of a project to create a Greater Albania.
The US government has been supporting Muslims against Christians in Macedonia for years just like it does everywhere else.
I hope Trump will change this policy, but it seems less likely in light of his recent actions.