Serbian army has been ordered to approach the border with Kosovo
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia in the Balkan region have reached a boiling point. The Kosovo government's decision to deploy police in the municipalities of the Serb-populated region in the north of the country has caused a stir. Serbia's army was ordered to "stand by".
Serbian President Alexander Vucic has put the Serbian army on full combat alert for the campaign with Kosovo, the Tanjug news agency reported on Friday. Vucic ordered his installations to approach the Kosovo border.
Vucic's order came as Serbs in the northern Kosovo municipality of Zvecan clashed with Kosovo police trying to help the newly elected ethnic Albanian mayor take office.
The local vote had been boycotted by Serbs, who represent the majority in the area.
According to local media reports, Kosovo police fired tear gas into the crowd gathered outside the town hall.
Reuters reported that some police officers were beaten and police vehicles were damaged.
SUCCESSIVE WARNINGS FROM THE US AND EU
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Kosovo government to reverse the decision and refrain from actions that could fuel conflict.
"These actions were taken against the advice of the United States and Kosovo's European partners and unnecessarily and sharply escalated tensions," Blinken said, adding that the administration's action forced them to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
The office of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also issued a written statement.
"The EU condemns the demonstration by the newly elected mayors to enter the municipal landscapes and the clashes in northern Kosovo involving Kosovo police and protesters," the statement said.
Source: Reuters
