Serbia’s top officials, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, held an emergency meeting in Belgrade on Saturday to address the violent clashes between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs the previous day, which left over a dozen people injured. Following the meeting, Vucic ordered troops stationed near the border with Kosovo to remain on high alert until further notice. The meeting’s statement condemned the “brutal use of force” by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government against the Serbian people in Kosovo, stating that the armed forces of Serbia would remain at the highest level of combat readiness.
The clashes occurred when ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo attempted to block recently-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings, but Kosovo police responded with tear gas and arrested several suspects. The United States and several Western countries condemned the government’s use of police to forcibly allow entry to the buildings, citing concerns about democracy and human rights. However, Kurti defended the police action, stating that it was necessary to allow elected officials to assume office and serve the citizens of Kosovo without obstruction.
President Aleksandar Vucic (Via Aleksandar Vucic/Twitter)
Serbia’s condemnation of NATO peacekeepers highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Nato spokesperson Oana Longescu urged institutions in Kosovo to de-escalate the situation immediately and resolve it through dialogue, while also emphasizing the responsibility of the international community to ensure a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. With tensions remaining high, the situation in Kosovo remains uncertain, and it is unclear how the dispute will be resolved. The involvement of NATO peacekeepers, as well as other international organizations and Western countries, may be essential in mediating a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
