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The recent outbreaks of violence in northern Kosovo, resulting in 80 NATO soldiers and Serbian civilians being injured, represent the most severe violent conflict in the small Balkan country in recent years. With a population of nearly two million Albanians and approximately 50,000 Serbs, predominantly residing in the rural northern region near the Serbian border, the ethnic divisions in Kosovo remain a significant challenge. The Serbs in Kosovo vehemently reject any association with the Kosovo state, which Serbia does not recognize.
The underlying cause of the recent violence stems from the election of Albanian mayors after Serbian officials resigned in April following Belgrade's instructions. The clashes initially erupted on Friday when militant Serbs attacked the Kosovo Special Police, who were accompanying the newly elected Albanian mayor in Zvecan. In response, the NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, was deployed to protect the municipal offices in Zvecan and two other locations.
On Monday, Serbs once again gathered to protest against the newly elected mayors, demanding the withdrawal of the Kosovo Police. As tensions escalated, the KFOR unit used tear gas to disperse the protests. However, the situation quickly deteriorated as Serbs retaliated by throwing stun grenades and stones at the soldiers while launching physical attacks with batons. The clashes resulted in injuries to 30 soldiers and approximately 50 Serbs.
The militant Serbs primarily consist of football hooligans and petty criminals, manipulated by local Serbian politicians and unscrupulous businessmen acting in the interest of Belgrade. Their violent actions exacerbate the already volatile situation in the region.
The protests specifically target the newly elected mayors due to their Albanian ethnicity and the fact that their elections were boycotted by the Serbs under Belgrade's instructions. Serbia views Kosovo as the mythical center of the medieval Serbian empire and continues to demand the return of its former province. Despite significant diplomatic efforts by the international community since 1999, experts argue that a coherent strategy to address the Kosovo issue remains elusive.
In response to the recent violence, the Western powers condemned the acts and announced the deployment of additional troops. While the EU and the USA denounced the violence, EU High Representative Josep Borrell and the US criticized Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti for his role in triggering the unrest. However, doubts persist regarding whether these measures alone will be sufficient to achieve a sustainable solution to the underlying tensions.
Currently, there is no immediate risk of the Kosovo conflict escalating regionally. Although Serbian President Vucic has placed the Serbian armed forces on high alert, it is unlikely that he would risk open confrontation with NATO in Kosovo. Nevertheless, these tensions serve to solidify his grip on power domestically, particularly in light of recent mass protests in Belgrade against his authoritarian rule.