Balkans face new uncertainty amid US-Iran war

2026-03-11 21:41:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"Coming soon" and "We have given you our warnings" - these are some of the messages published in English, on March 9 and 10, in a channel called "HomeLand Justice", on the Telegram platform.

This channel represents the group that has claimed responsibility for several cyberattacks against Albanian institutions since 2022.

The latest attack occurred on Tuesday, and targeted the email of the Albanian Parliament.

SEE ALSO: The Albanian Parliament says it has been hit by a cyberattack.
This was confirmed by the Albanian legislative body itself, which said that the attack "aimed at deleting data and compromising several internal systems."

The National Cyber ??Security Authority (AKSK) later announced that it had set up a working group "to analyze the case and teams are on the ground conducting technical analysis, as well as taking the necessary steps regarding this situation."

So far, AKSK has not issued any statement providing further details about the attack or the exact extent of the damage.

The Assembly, meanwhile, said that its technical teams are working to "recover deleted data from user accounts."

What is known about “HomeLand Justice”?

"HomeLand Justice", according to an analysis by American technology giant Microsoft, is linked to the Iranian Government.

In its posts on Telegram, the hacker group says that the attacks on Albanian institutions are being carried out to condemn their decision to shelter the Iranian opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), also known as the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran.

"When you support terrorists, you should know that you will pay the price for this, in all aspects," reads one of the group's posts on March 10.

In other posts, the group accuses Albanian politicians of listening to "American orders," and warns that this attack is "just the tip of the iceberg."

On February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, supported the US-Israeli operation, saying that the country he leads has directly confronted "the barbaric face of the Tehran regime, through its cyber aggressions."

Security experts were divided on whether the MEK's presence in Albania increases the risk, or has no impact, on possible attacks from Iran, following the start of the war with the US.

Following the start of the Iran war, international security experts have warned that escalating tensions between the United States and Iran increase the risk of potential terrorist attacks or covert operations outside traditional conflict zones.

According to an analysis published by the American magazine The Atlantic, Iran has historically used various networks and methods to retaliate against adversaries, especially when faced with great political or military pressure, including attacks originating outside Iran's territory.

Meanwhile, reports from the New York Times newspaper emphasize that American intelligence agencies are monitoring the possibility that Tehran could activate allied groups in various regions to strike American interests or their allies.

What is the real danger in Albania and Kosovo?

Although Albania has a history of tense relations with Iran, security experts believe that after the start of the US-Iran war, there is a considerable risk for other countries as well.

Security expert from the Kosovo Center for Security Studies (KCSS), Mentor Vrajolli, emphasizes that the current situation requires greater institutional preparation, considering the way Iran has operated over the years outside its territory.

"It is universally known that Iran has operated for decades by fostering influence cells abroad that aim to harm the interests of Western countries," he says.

According to Vrajolli, the potential risk for Kosovo and Albania is also related to their clear political and strategic orientation towards Western allies.

He points out that, due to their open support for American and European interests, both countries could be seen as potential targets of indirect hostile actions.

However, he estimates that direct Iranian influence in Kosovo and Albania is not very pronounced.

"In these countries, religious influence has come mainly from other actors," explains Vrajolli, adding that religious communities in the region are mainly linked to the Sunni tradition, and to influences from Turkey or other countries, rather than to Shiite currents, which are more closely linked to Iran.

However, the risk cannot be completely ruled out. Vrajolli warns that even isolated incidents can have serious consequences.

"A single incident can cause great pain, so vigilance must be high to prevent any possible scenario," he says.

Vrajolli adds that cyberattacks remain one of the most real dangers, recalling that Iran has carried out such attacks even in periods when there has been no open conflict.

Given this, he believes that Albania's institutions, but also those of Kosovo, must be prepared and "protected" for threats in the digital space.

What is Kosovo doing?

Just one day after the war in Iran began, an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council was held in Kosovo, called by the country's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

The Kosovo chief executive "reiterated the clear position of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo that they stand steadfastly alongside our friends and strategic allies, and in particular the United States of America, in efforts to maintain international peace, security and stability," a statement said.

Although the prime minister said that Kosovo is closely monitoring the potential implications for the country and the region, the Kosovo Police did not respond to Radio Free Europe's questions about whether it is implementing any special protection plan following this situation, as well as whether there have been any significant incidents related to it.

Previously, neither the Government, nor the Ministry of Internal Affairs, nor the Presidency of Kosovo responded to REL on the possible implications or concrete measures that could be taken. /REL