Serbia’s president has deployed the army and positioned troops near the Kosovo border following clashes between police and Kosovo’s Serb minority. The violence erupted in the Serb majority town of Zvecan, resulting in ten injuries as residents protested outside state buildings. Videos posted online showed police using tear gas, and gunshots and explosions were heard.
The clashes were sparked by the installation of new ethnic Albanian mayors by the police. In April’s local elections, Kosovo’s Serb minority boycotted the vote, allowing ethnic Albanians to gain control of the councils in four northern municipalities. The Serbian minority demanded the establishment of a promised association of Serbian municipalities, while ethnic Albanians expressed concerns about the formation of a pro-Serbian statelet.
When the newly elected mayors attempted to assume office, Serb residents rallied to block them, leading to confrontations with Kosovan police. Local officers reported injuries and vehicle damage, including a car set on fire during the unrest.
In response to the escalating tensions, Serbia’s Defence Minister stated that the president had ordered troops to be urgently moved to the Kosovo border, emphasizing the need to protect the Serb community.
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, criticized the Kosovan government’s use of force, arguing that it disregarded advice from the US and EU allies. Blinken emphasized that such actions had needlessly escalated tensions and undermined efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia, supported by Russia, refuses to recognize. The majority of ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo also reject Kosovo’s independence.
