“Kosovo will defend itself – with all its strength and determination”

Daniel Kestenholznight shift editor

Escalation of the situation between Serbia and Kosovo. On Saturday there were roadblocks and gun battles with police in northern Kosovo, largely inhabited by ethnic Serbs.

Two border crossings were closed. Gunshots were heard in several places. In the night of Monday, photos and videos of troop movements in the Serbian border area appeared on social media.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, 47, described the troublemakers as “criminal gangs” and called on the NATO-led Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR) to remove the barricades and bring peace. Kurti accused the Serbian leadership of “military aggression”. Because they want to station their own troops in Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (52) announced on Saturday. The application is submitted to Kfor on Monday or Tuesday.

Kosovo will defend itself

On Twitter, Prime Minister Kurti of Kosovo chose clear words: “The President and Prime Minister of Serbia have threatened military aggression and have called on the Serbian army to return to our territory,” Kurti said. “We are not looking for conflict, but dialogue and peace. But let me be clear: the Republic of Kosovo will defend itself – with all its strength and determination.”

Vucic announced on Saturday his intention to deploy the Serbian army and police in Kosovo. “We will ask the KFOR commander,” Vucic told journalists in Belgrade, “to ensure that the army and police of the Republic of Serbia are deployed on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.”

It would be the first time that Belgrade has asked to send troops to Kosovo since the end of the nearly 16-month war in 1999. The war ended on the basis of a UN Security Council resolution. NATO intervened to protect Kosovo, which was inhabited by a majority of Albanians. The resolution at the time also stipulated that Serbia could deploy up to 1,000 military, police and customs officers to religious sites, Serb-majority areas and border crossings if KFOR agrees. However, Vuvic admitted that he had “no illusions” that the request would be granted.

Deep-rooted conflicts

When this UN resolution was signed, Kosovo was internationally recognized as part of Serbia. With Western support, Pristina declared independence in 2008, which Belgrade has never recognized.

A number of reasons fuel recent tensions. Serbian mayors in northern Kosovo, as well as local judges and about 600 police officers, resigned last month. This was in protest against an announcement by the Kosovo government that it would replace Belgrade’s number plates with Pristina’s.

Local elections were also due to be held in this Serbian majority north of the area this month. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, 40, announced on Saturday that the elections would be postponed to April 23 to ease tensions. Serbs want to boycott the elections.