Serbian army on alert for tensions in Kosovo

The Serbian military on the border with Kosovo has been placed on high alert after weeks of escalating tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbian Defense Minister Vucevic says the army is ready to use force if necessary.

Interior Minister Gasic also reports that the security forces and police officers are combat ready and are under the command of the army command. According to Gasic, President Vucic has ordered “to do everything necessary to protect the Serbian people in Kosovo”.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks following reports of intimidation and bullying of Serbs by ethnic Albanians. For example, Serb employees of the Kosovo Police recently had their jobs fired in protest against the now rescinded decision to ban Serbs in Kosovo from badges from Belgrade on their cars.

Just yesterday, the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR said it was investigating a shooting in the north. It happened in Zubin Potok in Kosovo, where for two weeks ethnic Serbs have set up barricades to protest against the arrest of a Serbian agent. KFOR has called on both sides to stay away from provocative rhetoric or actions.

Internationally, there is great concern about the arms clash on the Kosovo-Serbia border. Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 2008, of which it was a province before the Kosovo War in the late 1990s. Most EU countries and the US consider Kosovo to be an independent country. Serbia, supported among others by Russia and China, does not recognize independence.

Serbia’s influence is still strong, especially in northern Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs are the majority, people speak Serbian, pay with Serbian dinars and most people have Serbian passports.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ongoing tensions are feared to lead to violence. Serbia has traditionally had strong ties with Russia, and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti recently warned that Russia is trying to exacerbate tensions between them. A conflict in the Balkans would destabilize Europe, Kosovo’s President Osmani said earlier.