By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom with DW

The situation in Kosovo is witnessing an escalation of tensions between ethnic Serbs and Albanians, leading to clashes between NATO-led peacekeepers and Serb protesters, resulting in injuries. In response, Kosovo has deployed significant police forces to Serb-populated areas as a measure to address the unrest.

According to a statement by KFOR, approximately 25 members of the multinational contingent sustained injuries during the incident.

KFOR reported that while dealing with the most active elements of the crowd, soldiers from the Italian and Hungarian contingents were subjected to unprovoked attacks. These attacks resulted in soldiers sustaining trauma wounds, including fractures and burns caused by the explosion of incendiary devices.

#KFOR statement pic.twitter.com/kfYybyqC2G

— NATO Kosovo Force – KFOR (@NATO_KFOR) May 29, 2023

While initial reports indicate that approximately 25 KFOR peacekeepers were wounded, other sources suggest that the number of injured personnel may be higher. In addition, a Serbian-language news outlet, Kossev, cited a health official stating that over 50 individuals sought medical assistance at a Serb-controlled hospital. The official further mentioned that one person was critically injured due to a gunshot and remained in critical condition.

The Prime Minister of Italy has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards any future attacks on peacekeepers. Antonio Tajani, the Foreign Minister of Italy, took to Twitter to state that 11 Italian individuals were among the KFOR forces who sustained injuries. He further clarified that three of them were in a serious condition, although their injuries were not life-threatening.

https://twitter.com/Antonio_Tajani/status/1663226183515791360

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later said that further attacks on international peacekeepers would not be tolerated, but she also seemed to rebuke Kosovo for its role in creating the scenes.

“It is essential to avoid further unilateral actions by the Kosovar authorities and that all parties involved immediately take a step back to lower tensions,” Meloni said. 

A nome mio e del Governo, esprimo i miei più sinceri sentimenti di vicinanza ai militari italiani che sono rimasti feriti durante i disordini in Kosovo. Esprimo inoltre la più ferma condanna dell'attacco avvenuto a danno della missione KFOR che ha coinvolto anche militari di…

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 29, 2023

KFOR deployed after earlier clash between Kosovo police and protesters

The NATO-led force had been deployed to stem brewing tensions between the protesters and the Kosovo police.

Kosovo police said their officers had sprayed pepper gas earlier on Monday to repel a crowd of protesters. 

“The protesters, using violence and throwing tear gas, tried to cross the security cordons and make a forced entry into the municipality facility,” Kosovo police said in a statement. “Police were forced to use legal means, such as [pepper] spray, to stop the protesters and bring the situation under control.”

Kosovo police said their officers had sprayed pepper gas earlier on Monday to repel a crowd of protesters. 

“The protesters, using violence and throwing tear gas, tried to cross the security cordons and make a forced entry into the municipality facility,” Kosovo police said in a statement. “Police were forced to use legal means, such as [pepper] spray, to stop the protesters and bring the situation under control.”

Serb illegal structures turned into criminal gangs have attacked Kosovo police, KFOR officers & journalists.

These unacceptable acts of violence should be condemned by all. Those who carry out Vucic's orders to destabilise the north of Kosovo, must face justice.

— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) May 29, 2023

Kosovo is mostly populated by ethnic Albanians and has declared independence from Serbia in 2008. In recent years, the two sides have been engaged in EU-mediated talks aimed at normalization.

How did we get here? 

The latest unrest can be traced back to local elections in April. The Serbs decided to boycott the vote in protest to the central government’s policies. This led to ethnic Albanian candidates winning the mayoral positions in Serb-dominated towns — despite overall turnout of just 3.5% in the region.

Then, the Kosovo government deployed heavily armed police forces in Serb-populated regions to move the new mayors into town halls. On Friday, while three of the four mayors were escorted into their offices by riot police — protesters pelted them with rocks and the police responded with tear gas and water cannons. The protesters then entered a standoff with Kosovo forces blocking access to official buildings.

Rare Western rebukes aimed at Kosovo

The Kosovo government faced unusually strong criticism from its key ally, the US, and other Western partners as the unrest flared over the weekend.

“We strongly condemn the actions by the Government of Kosovo that are escalating tensions in the north and increasing instability,” said US State Secretary Antony Blinken, calling on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to “immediately halt these violent measures and refocus on the EU-facilitated dialogue.” 

We strongly condemn the actions by the Government of Kosovo that are escalating tensions in the north and increasing instability. We call on Prime Minister @albinkurti to immediately halt these violent measures and refocus on the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 26, 2023

On Sunday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also urged Pristina and Belgrade to engage in dialogue.

“Pristina must de-escalate and not take unilateral, destabilizing steps. [NATO’s KFOR] will continue to ensure a safe and secure environment,” Stoltenberg said.

Spoke to HR/VP @JosepBorrellF about #Kosovo. Pristina & Belgrade must engage in the EU-led dialogue now, as the only way to peace & normalisation. Pristina must de-escalate & not take unilateral, destabilising steps. @NATO_KFOR will continue to ensure a safe & secure environment.

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) May 28, 2023

The informal Kosovo “Quint” decision-making group — comprised of the US, France, Italy, the UK and Germany — also issued a joint statement calling for restraint from all sides and a de-escalation of the situation on Friday. Its embassies followed up on this again late on Sunday. 

“We reiterate our May 26 statement condemning Kosovo’s decision to force access into municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo despite our repeated calls for restraint,” the ambassadors said, adding: “the Quint and the EU’s expectation is that the authorities of the Government of Kosovo will undertake no new measures to force access to the municipal buildings.”