Kosovo calls on KFOR to intervene in lifting 'Serbs barricades'

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The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti urged on the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) to intervene in lifting barricades from roads that were set up by local Serbs in several locations leading to the border crossing points of Bërnjak and Jarinje in the North of Kosovo. 

The President and PM of Serbia have also threatened military aggression, calling for the Serbian army to return to our territory. We do not seek conflict, but dialogue and peace. But let me be clear: the Republic of Kosova will defend itself — forcefully and decisively.

— Albin Kurti (@albinkurti) December 11, 2022

Serbs in Kosovo's northern part are blocking roads using barricades to protest the arrest of former police officer Dejan Pantic, the Vecernje Novosti newspaper reported on Saturday.  

In mid-November, the ex-policeman quit his post along with other ethnic Serbs who work as law enforcers in Kosovo. He was arrested earlier on Saturday at the Jarinje border crossing.  

Reports say that local residents have assembled at the village of Leposavic's entrance and exit, while several hundred gathered in Rudare and Srbovac, and they are building barricades, as per the newspaper.

According to the publication, sirens are turned on in large cities, citizens gather on the streets in Leposavic, Rudar, Srbovica.

Serbian barricades in northern Kosovo and Metohija pic.twitter.com/tqQSJ1ojcm

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) December 10, 2022

On December 10, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia will send the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission command a formal request for authorization to deploy Serbian military and police in Kosovo, despite the likeliness of being rejected.

"In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, we will send a request to the KFOR commander to arrange for the deployment of the Serbian army and police contingent in Kosovo and Metohija," Vucic said while addressing the nation and reading out the relevant paragraph of the Security Council resolution.  

The official decision on sending the request to the KFOR command will be made on Monday, Vucic said.

"Of course, I have no illusions, and I know that they will deny this request. And I'm telling you that in advance," Vucic stressed, noting that it was still necessary to try. 

What's the history between the 2 #Balkan parties and will it lead to an escalation? pic.twitter.com/dbxKmEwlCe

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 1, 2022

According to agreements, Serbia can only deploy special police forces in Serb-majority areas with the permission of regional heads.

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