BBC analysis/ Why is violence breaking out in Kosovo?

2023-09-24 11:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

BBC analysis/ Why is violence breaking out in Kosovo?

Illustrative photo

The BBC has dedicated an article to this morning's incident in Leposavic where one policeman was killed and two others were injured.

The media giant reports the event and makes an analysis of what has recently happened in Kosovo and raises the question why violence is breaking out in Kosovo.

The BBC has once again returned to the tensions in the north of Kosovo, saying that the EU's efforts for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo have stalled.

The article also emphasizes the fact that Kosovo is not recognized as an independent state by Serbia and Russia, calling them allies.

Also mentioned in the analysis is the fact that even the last talks failed. The latest EU-brokered talks broke down last week, with the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell blaming Kurt for failing to create an association of Serb-majority municipalities that would have given them more autonomy.

BBC analysis

One policeman was killed and another was injured by gunfire in an area of ??Kosovo near Serbia.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the attack in the northern Banjska village of Leposaviq involved "professionals" using heavy weapons. The incident is ongoing, Mr. Kurti said.

Tensions have risen in Kosovo, following violent clashes following disputed local elections in May.

EU-brokered political talks designed to stabilize the situation have stalled.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia - along with Belgrade's main allies China and Russia - does not recognize it.

Many Serbs consider it the birthplace of their nation. But of the 1.8 million inhabitants living in Kosovo, 92% are Albanians and only 6% are Serbs.

Sunday's shooting happened around 03:00 (01:00 GMT), after police said they arrived in Banjska, near the border with Serbia, where a blockade had been reported.

The officers were attacked from several different positions with "an arsenal of firearms, including hand grenades and rockets," they said in a statement.

Why is violence breaking out in Kosovo?

Organized crime with political, financial and logistical support from Belgrade "is attacking our country", said Prime Minister Kurti, adding that the perpetrators and those who gave orders will be punished.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said that the incident, "orchestrated by Serbian criminal gangs", was an attack on law and order and "against the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo".

She condemned "Serbia's open aggression towards Kosovo" and called on the country's allies to support Kosovo in establishing law and order.

Ms. Osmani called on people to stay united and expressed her faith in the Kosovo police.

Serbia has not commented on the incident.

Unrest engulfed northern Kosovo in May after Kosovo Albanian mayors moved to Serb-majority areas after Serb residents boycotted local elections.

NATO deployed 700 additional troops to Kosovo to deal with unrest in the northern town of Zvecan after the elections.

About 30 NATO peacekeepers and more than 50 Serbian protesters were injured in the ensuing clashes.

The latest EU-brokered talks broke down last week, with the bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, blaming Mr Kurti for failing to create an association of Serb-majority municipalities that would have given them more autonomy. / CNA