Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The threat of war has reappeared in Europe. After Russia and Ukraine, this time tensions have emerged between the two countries, Serbia and Kosovo.
This is related to the heat in the northern region of Kosovo, in the city of Mitrovica to be exact. It started when the government of Kosovo asked the local ethnic Serbs to remove the license plates of their Serbian cars and use those from Pristina.
This also triggered a barricade of Serbian citizens, Since December 10, the Serbs have set up checkpoints.
Gunfights with police also occurred. This came after the arrest of a former Serbian policeman for allegedly assaulting police officers during protests.
In fact, some 50,000 Serbs live in the Albanian-majority northern part of Kosovo and refuse to recognize the government in Pristina. They still see Belgrade as their capital even though Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
This then made the Serbian government take action. In its latest report on Tuesday (27/12/2022), Serbia said it has placed its soldiers on high combat alert.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is said to have ordered the readiness of the armed forces and security services. Defense Minister Milos Vucevic agrees.
“This was the highest deed done by the Serbian military,” he allegedly said TRT world.
“Protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and protect all citizens and prevent terrorism and terror against Serbs wherever they live,” he added.
“There’s no reason to panic, but there’s reason to be concerned,” Vucevic said. Reuters.
The heat is also felt in Kosovo. The government has commented on statements that it would not engage in dialogue with criminal and rebel groups.
“There shouldn’t be any barricades on any street,” Pristina said, assuring that the police have the capacity and readiness to act.
Meanwhile, NATO’s peacekeeping force, Kosovo For (KFOR), has called on all sides to exercise restraint. KFOR is a NATO soldier deployed to the Balkans to keep the peace.
“We urge all parties to help activate security and freedom of movement in Kosovo and to prevent misleading narratives from influencing the dialogue process,” KFOR said in a statement.
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