Fatal attack in North Kosovo leaves one policeman dead

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Sep 2023 12:58
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Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti promptly denounced the attack, categorizing the ambush as an act of terrorism.

Another police officer who was involved in the attack and survived injuries is seen shaking hands with the Prime Minister of Kosovo. (X, formerly Twitter)

On early Sunday morning in northern Kosovo, authorities reported that an armed attack on a patrol near the border with Serbia resulted in the death of one policeman and the injury of another.

"As soon as they arrived in the vicinity of the place where the blockade was reported, the police units were attacked from several different positions with an arsenal of firearms, including hand grenades and shoulder-fired missiles," police said in a statement.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti promptly denounced the attack, categorizing the ambush as an act of terrorism.

"The attackers are professionals with masks and armed with heavy weapons. We condemn this criminal and terrorist attack," Kurti wrote on social media.

"Organized crime with political, financial, and logistical support from officials in Belgrade is attacking our country," he added.

#Kosovo PM paid a visit to the injured Police officer, saying pieces of a hand grenade were taken out of his arm. pic.twitter.com/41uyuoqyKo
— Xhemajl Rexha (@xhemajl_rexha) September 24, 2023

Tensions have been simmering for several months as a result of the Pristina government's decision in May to appoint ethnic Albanian mayors in four municipalities with a Serb-majority population.

This move has ignited one of the most significant episodes of unrest in the northern region in recent years, marked by protests, the detention of three Kosovar police officers by Serbia, and a violent riot by Serb demonstrators that resulted in over 30 NATO peacekeepers sustaining injuries.

While Kosovo is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Albanians, in the northern border areas near Serbia, several municipalities are predominantly Serb-populated.

The conflict in the northern region is just the latest in a series of incidents that have unsettled the area since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after NATO forces assisted in pushing Serbian troops out of the region during a devastating conflict that claimed approximately 13,000 lives.

Belgrade, along with its key allies China and Russia, has steadfastly refused to acknowledge Kosovo's independence, thereby preventing it from securing a seat at the UN.