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Kosovo: Why is trouble flaring up between Serbs and the Albanian-led government? Kosovo: Why is violence flaring up again?
(4 months later)
Tensions are rising between ethnic Serbs and the ethnic Albanian-led government in Kosovo, in south-eastern Europe, in connection to a dispute over car licence plates. Violent clashes have taken place in Kosovo between ethnic Serbs and police belonging to the Albanian-led government.
There are fears violence between ethnic Serbs and ethnic Albanians could flare up again, 23 years after the Kosovo war. Nato is deploying an extra 700 troops to the country after more than 30 of its peacekeepers were injured.
The clashes followed a disputed local election and there are fears the violence could escalate.
Where is Kosovo and who lives there?Where is Kosovo and who lives there?
Kosovo is a small, landlocked country in the Balkans, bordering Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Kosovo is a small, landlocked country in the Balkans in southern-eastern Europe. It borders Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
Many Serbs consider it the birthplace of their nation.Many Serbs consider it the birthplace of their nation.
But of the 1.8 million people living in Kosovo, 92% are Albanian and only 6% Serbian. The rest are Bosniaks, Gorans, Turks and Roma.But of the 1.8 million people living in Kosovo, 92% are Albanian and only 6% Serbian. The rest are Bosniaks, Gorans, Turks and Roma.
How did Kosovo gain independence?How did Kosovo gain independence?
After the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Kosovo - a province of the former country - sought its own autonomy and independence.After the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Kosovo - a province of the former country - sought its own autonomy and independence.
Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown against ethnic Albanians seeking independence.Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown against ethnic Albanians seeking independence.
This ended in 1999, with a Nato bombing campaign against Serbia, between March and June. This ended in 1999 with a Nato bombing campaign against Serbia, between March and June.
More than 13,000 people died in the Kosovan war of 1999More than 13,000 people died in the Kosovan war of 1999
Serbian forces withdrew from Kosovo - but for many Kosovo Albanians and Serbs, the conflict has never been resolved.Serbian forces withdrew from Kosovo - but for many Kosovo Albanians and Serbs, the conflict has never been resolved.
The Nato-led Kosovo Force (KFor) is still based in Kosovo, with a current strength of 3,762.The Nato-led Kosovo Force (KFor) is still based in Kosovo, with a current strength of 3,762.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence.In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence.
A total of 99 out of 193 United Nations countries now recognise Kosovo's independence, including the US, the UK and 22 out of 27 EU countries. A total of 99 out of 193 United Nations (UN) countries now recognise Kosovo's independence, including the US, the UK and 22 out of 27 European Union (EU) countries.
But Russia and China, which do not, have blocked Kosovo's membership of the UN.But Russia and China, which do not, have blocked Kosovo's membership of the UN.
And Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has vowed Serbia would never recognise Kosovo as an independent country.And Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has vowed Serbia would never recognise Kosovo as an independent country.
Neither Kosovo nor Serbia are in the EU - but:Neither Kosovo nor Serbia are in the EU - but:
Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012
Kosovo indicated it would like to apply by the end of 2022 Kosovo formally applied to join the EU in December 2022
The process of becoming an EU member can take years or even decades.
Why has trouble flared up now?Why has trouble flared up now?
Relationships between the Albanian-dominated government and the Serb minority have been strained for years.Relationships between the Albanian-dominated government and the Serb minority have been strained for years.
In 2022, tensions led to civil disobedience. At the heart of the latest clashes are disputed local elections in the north of the country, boycotted by a majority Serb population that lives there.
Kosovo's government wanted to make those in majority ethnic Serb areas swap their Serbian-issued car number plates for Kosovan-issued ones. Four ethnic Albanian mayors were elected on a turnout of less than 4%. They were escorted to their offices by armed Kosovo police, provoking violent clashes with local Serbs.
Some 50,000 people in these areas refused to use Kosovan number plates because they do not recognise Kosovo's independence. Nato is sending another 700 troops to the country, after some its peacekeeping soldiers were injured in the clashes.
In the summer, ethnic Serbs in the northern region of Kosovo, which borders Serbia, barricaded roads and some men reportedly fired shots in protest. Watch: Protesters attack Nato peacekeepers in Kosovo
Kosovo's government postponed implementing the new rules. Watch: Protesters attack Nato peacekeepers in Kosovo
The EU mediated an agreement between the two sides, defusing the tension. The US, a key ally of Kosovo, condemned the government's actions and cancelled Kosovo's participation in a joint military drill and put diplomatic meetings on hold.
Under the deal, Kosovo will drop its plan to fine holders of Serbian-issued number plates and Serbia will stop issuing registrations with the initials of towns in Kosovo. It also condemned Serbian attacks against Nato troops.
However, further unrest was triggered by the arrest of a former Serb police officer on 10 December in northern Kosovo. Local police exchanged fire with unknown groups. Last year local Serb representatives resigned in protest against a ban on Serbian-issued number plates, which also increased tension in the country.
Over 90% of Kosovo's population are Albanian MuslimsOver 90% of Kosovo's population are Albanian Muslims
Was Russia involved? Are Serbia and Russia involved in the violence?
In August, Kosovo's government said Serbia was stirring up ethnic tensions and claimed Russia was supporting it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the tensions were alarming and may lead to a "huge explosion" in the heart of Europe.
Serbia and Russia are traditional allies. Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani claimed in February mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group were working with Serbian paramilitaries to smuggle weapons and unmarked military uniforms into Kosovo, in preparation for a possible annexation of Kosovan territory.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbia refused to join other European nations' sanctions regime. There is no evidence to substantiate the claims.
In May, Mr Vucic signed what he said was a favourable gas deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed the country's army on full combat alert and ordered its units to move closer to the border with Kosovo. But he also told the Serb media that he was looking for a political solution to the tensions.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the Kosovo tension on Kosovan authorities imposing "groundless discriminatory rules".
An MP from Mr Vucic's party said Serbia would soon be compelled to begin the "denazification of the Balkans" - using the same language President Putin used to justify his invasion of Ukraine. He later apologised for his words.
Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, said Mr Putin could use Kosovo to widen the current conflict in Ukraine and destabilise Europe further.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SerbiaSerbia
RussiaRussia
KosovoKosovo