Serbian troops on high alert near Kosovo border
It became known about some aggravation on the Serbian-Kosovo border. Recall that for Belgrade, this border remains administrative, while in Pristina it is considered a state border.
There are reports from Serbia that the Serbian armed forces are on high alert near the Kosovo borders. The tense situation is associated with the threats that persist against the Serb population of Kosovo. In this geographical entity, with the support of NATO, which proclaimed its "independence", there are several places of compact residence of ethnic Serbs. And the Kosovo authorities have already made numerous attempts to at least squeeze the Serbs out of these territories, which have always been their (Serbs') home.
The head of the Serbian Ministry of Defense Nebojsa Stefanovic, addressing the servicemen in the city of Novi Pazar:
The situation escalated in connection with the demand from the Kosovo police to the Serbian law enforcement officers to move away from the checkpoints. In Belgrade, this was perceived as pressure from Pristina and as a potential threat to Serbs living in Kosovo.
At the same time, they say in Serbia that the Kosovo police beat and arrested three Serbs who were protesting against the blockade of the border by Pristina.
Brussels called on the parties to "restrain themselves from provocations." Belgrade responded to this with a statement of the following nature:
- Serbian Defense Ministry
Information