US monitors large Serbian force along Kosovo border: White House
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The White House stated that there is an "unprecedented" accumulation of Serbian troops and military equipment along the border of Kosovo.
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Kosovo police officers guard a road near the village of Banjska, northern Kosovo, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP)
The White House expressed concern Friday about a Serbian military buildup along the Kosovo border, triggering instability in the region. Hence, the White House called for the immediate withdrawal of these forces.
John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, informed reporters that due to these escalating tensions, Kosovo's peacekeeping force would be increasing the presence of NATO forces in northern Kosovo.
Over the weekend, Kosovo authorities reported a violent confrontation with approximately 30 heavily armed Serbs who entered the Kosovo village of Banjska. They barricaded themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery, resulting in the death of three attackers and one police officer.
This confrontation has raised international alarm about the stability of Kosovo.
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Kirby emphasized that this attack was not an isolated incident and that the weaponry discovered poses a threat not only to Kosovo personnel but also to international personnel, "including NATO troops." He called for a thorough investigation and urged Serbian authorities to cooperate in the inquiry.
Describing the significant Serbian military presence along the Kosovo border as a destabilizing development, Kirby urged Serbia to withdraw these forces and contribute to reducing tensions.
Furthermore, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone conversation with Serbia's president on Friday to convey US concerns, while White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed the events with Kosovo's prime minister, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, according to Kirby.
The bigger picture
Earlier on Friday, September 29, NATO authorized additional forces to address the "current situation" in Kosovo NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday in a statement.
Stoltenberg also urged all parties to de-escalate noting that the "only way to resolve outstanding issues and reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities," is for Kosovo and Serbia to "engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue."
This comes after a Kosovo police officer was killed, in the northern municipality of Zvecan, on Sunday night, in a shooting. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM local time (01:00 GMT) near the village of Banjska and then moved to become a siege situation in a nearby monastery.
Vice President of Lista Srpska, Milan Radoicic, confirmed in a letter his participation in the attack carried out on Sunday, September 24.
