Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo continue to rise. After shots were fired during Serbian protests in Kosovo, President Vucic put Serbia’s troops on “highest combat readiness”. Kosovo accuses Serbia of “criminal activities”.
Serbia has let self-propelled howitzers drive up to the border with Kosovo.
tsf. /(Bloomberg) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has ordered his troops to be on “highest combat readiness”. The aim of the order to the army and other security forces is “to protect all Serb citizens in Kosovo and to prevent pogroms and terror against Serbs,” Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said in an emailed statement on Monday. The security forces were placed under the command of Chief of Staff Milan Mojsilovic.
The largest Serbian community outside of Serbia lives in northern Kosovo. Kosovo, with its majority Albanian population, declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, but is still considered a breakaway territory by Belgrade.
tensions increase
Tensions flared earlier this year when the Pristina government demanded that Serbs living in Kosovo use car number plates and personal ID cards issued by the Pristina government rather than by Serbia.
Numerous Serbs living in Kosovo have been protesting against the measures with road blockades for almost two weeks. Around 100,000 ethnic Serbs are also demanding the release of several arrested members of their community. The Kosovar government increased the police presence in the north of the country because of the protests.
Shots were also fired on Sunday evening in the town of Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo, where Serbs were setting up roadblocks. According to the NATO peacekeeping force KFOR, no one was injured. KFOR has launched an investigation. Serbia has asked NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping force to allow its troop movement, ultimately to protect the Serb population in Kosovo.
dispute about autonomy
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has accused Serbia of inciting the unrest. He ruled out autonomy for local Serbs as demanded by Belgrade. Serbia demands that some self-government for the minority be part of an EU-brokered deal. “The situation in the north of the country and the recent incidents are caused by criminal activities coordinated and supported by the Serbian government,” the Kurtis government said on Monday.