In the north of the partially recognized state of Kosovo, protests erupted again

At least two Serbs were injured as a result of clashes, Kosovo-Online reports.

Why conflict broke out again

Serbs, who live compactly in the north of Kosovo, in the Kosovska Mitrovica area, oppose the central government of Pristina, which consists of ethnic Albanians. This time, the conflict arose because ethnic Albanians won elections in several cities in the country's northern municipalities, where the Serb population predominates. The Serbs boycotted the vote because the Kosovo authorities did not support the creation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Now the Serbian population is trying to prevent new Albanian mayors from coming to power.

In the United States, the EU and NATO, the parties called on the parties to dialogue. Instead, Serbia brought its army to full combat readiness. Some units were transferred to the borders with Kosovo.

The course of the conflict

The first clashes between Serbs and Albanians over local elections in northern Kosovo broke out on Friday, May 26. The newly elected mayors were stoned. Police responded to protesters with tear gas and water cannons.

Today, the Kosovo police and representatives of the military mission, the Kosovo Force (KFOR), under NATO auspices, guarded the municipality buildings in Zvechan, Leposavić, Zubin Potica and Mitrovica. It was in these communities that early elections were held last month, which were boycotted by the Serbs.

According to the "Balkan Observer", KFOR units dispersed a group of Serbs who gathered in front of the municipality of Zvechan.

A police station made up mostly of Albanians in the Serb-populated town of Zvechan / Photo: Associated Press

During the dispersal, peacekeepers used tear gas and stun grenades. Protesters responded by pelting NATO peacekeepers with bottles and other items.

According to Serbian media, at least two people were injured. In particular, the correspondent of the Belgrade agency Tanyug. Both wounded were taken to Kosovska Mitrovica hospital. A Kosovo police car and a KFOR car were damaged.

The gathered Serbs are still on the street and are not retreating. They hung the Serbian tricolor on one of the armored vehicles of the Kosovo police.

Recall that as a result of the 1999 war between Serbs and Albanians, Kosovo came under UN control. In 2008, the region unilaterally declared independence, which is not recognized by many countries, including Ukraine. Serbs, who make up the majority of the population of northern Kosovo and some other municipalities, do not recognize independence and consider Belgrade their capital.

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