Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has accused neighbouring Serbia of “provoking a serious international conflict”, with tensions between the two countries at their highest for years.
In the latest flashpoint, two interior ministry offices in northern Kosovo were on Saturday attacked near border crossings blocked by local Serbs angered by a ban on cars with Serbian licence plates entering the country.
The car registration office in the town of Zubin Potok was set ablaze, and two hand grenades were thrown at the civil registration office in the nearby town of Zvecan, though they did not go off, police said.
There was no mention of any casualties.
Serbs from Kosovo’s north have blocked two main roads near the border since the government ban went into force on Monday.
Drivers from Serbia must now use temporary printed registration details that are valid for 60 days.
The Kosovo government says its move mirrors measures in force in Serbia against drivers from Kosovo since 2008, when Kosovo declared independence from their neighbour.
Serb fighter planes flew close to the border crossing of Jarinje where protesters cheered them. A day before, three helicopters also flew in the vicinity.
Media in Belgrade reported that tanks and other military equipment were heading towards the border, but the Serb army did not give any details.
NATO’s mission in Kosovo, where peacekeepers maintain a fragile peace, called for restraint.
Source: (NewDaily)
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