Tensions again/ KFOR intervenes in Zveçan to disperse Serbian protesters, several soldiers are injured

2023-05-29 19:30:18, Kosova & Bota CNA

Tensions again/ KFOR intervenes in Zveçan to disperse Serbian protesters,

The troops of the peacekeeping mission of NATO in Kosovo, KFOR, have intervened to disperse the Serbian protesters, who gathered in front of the building of the municipality of Zveçan.

Since the morning of May 29, groups of Serbs have been protesting in Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic.

Members of the Kosovo Police were not present at the time of the intervention in Zveçan.

After KFOR warned the protesters to leave and they did not obey, the members of this mission began to advance forward. The protesters resisted and sat down. KFOR members continued to push them. Explosions were then heard, but it is not yet known which side threw the explosive devices.

In Zveçan, tear gas was fired and Molotov bombs were heard exploding, and protesters threw stones, bottles and Molotov cocktails at KFOR.

Radio Free Europe journalists saw injured KFOR soldiers.

Also, a car was seen burning from the explosive devices that were thrown.

*Video: Clashes in Zveçan

Meanwhile, journalists in Zveçan report that a large part of the Serbian protesters have dispersed after the intervention of KFOR.

The cordon of KFOR peacekeepers, equipped for crisis situations, continues to remain in front of the municipality building.

Earlier, the protesters in Zubin Potok dispersed and warned that they will protest again on Tuesday.

During the day, there were several incidents in the north, including the intervention of the police to drive away the protesters who tried to enter the building of the municipality of Zveçan.

On Monday, KFOR announced that it has increased its presence in these three municipalities, where tensions have increased since May 26.

This mission said that in line with its mandate, it is ready "to take all measures to provide a safe environment, in a neutral and impartial way".

On May 26, five policemen were injured during clashes with Serb protesters who threw stones at them. The police responded with stun grenades and tear gas.

The new Albanian presidents were elected on April 23, in the electoral process that was boycotted by the Serbian List.

The previous heads of the four municipalities in the north, inhabited by a majority of Serbs, were from the Serbian List. However, they resigned in November last year, as a sign of dissatisfaction with a decision of the Government of Kosovo to re-register cars with RKS - Republic of Kosovo license plates.

The elections of April 23 were boycotted by the Serbian List and by the Serbian majority population in the north, which now does not accept the results, namely the new presidents./ REL