Kosovo Police Storm Serbian Enclaves in Northern Kosovo, Raising Tensions

Heavily armed Kosovo police forces, acting on direct orders from Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have entered all four Serbian-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo: Leposavić, Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan, and Zubin Potok. This move, aimed at dismantling Serbian institutions in Kosovo, has raised concerns of a potential escalation of violence. The raid occurred shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Serbia, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts. Kosovo special forces have also entered the KBC hospital grounds in Kosovska Mitrovica, as well as a building housing the Pension Fund, the Kosovo Office, the Kosovska Mitrovica Administrative District, and the Social Work Center. This escalation raises fears of heightened tensions and a potential for conflict between Kosovo’s Albanian majority and the Serbian minority.