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Kosovo: Why is violence flaring up again? Kosovo: Why is violence flaring between ethnic Serbs and Albanians?
(4 months later)
Violent clashes have taken place in Kosovo between ethnic Serbs and police belonging to the Albanian-led government. A deadly clash has taken place in Kosovo between ethnic Serb gunmen and police belonging to the Albanian-led government.
Nato is deploying an extra 700 troops to the country after more than 30 of its peacekeepers were injured. One policeman and three gunmen were killed, in the worst escalation of violence in years.
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 in southern-eastern Europe. It borders 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 independence.
Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown against ethnic Albanians seeking independence. Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown against ethnic Albanians.
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 about 4,500.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence.In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence.
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.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 independent.
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 formally applied to join the EU in December 2022Kosovo formally applied to join the EU in December 2022
The process of becoming an EU member can take years or even decades. The process of becoming an EU member can take 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.
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. The latest clash occurred when ethnic Serb gunmen stormed a village in north Kosovo, barricading themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery.
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. Kosovo monastery siege ends after heavy gun battles
Nato is sending another 700 troops to the country, after some its peacekeeping soldiers were injured in the clashes. Kosovan police sealed off the area around the monastery, the scene of a deadly clash with ethnic Serb gunmen
Watch: Protesters attack Nato peacekeepers in Kosovo At the heart of the violence is the Kosovo government's policy to assert authority over all of Kosovo.
Watch: Protesters attack Nato peacekeepers in Kosovo Ethnic Serbs oppose this and also want more autonomy.
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. In 2022, Serb representatives in the north of the country resigned in protest against a ban on Serbian-issued number plates.
It also condemned Serbian attacks against Nato troops. Following the resignation, local elections were held in April 2023 but were boycotted by a majority of the Serb population.
Last year local Serb representatives resigned in protest against a ban on Serbian-issued number plates, which also increased tension in the country. Four ethnic Albanian mayors were elected on a turnout of less than 4%. The mayors were installed by armed Kosovo police, provoking violent clashes with local Serbs.
Nato sent an additional 700 troops to the country, after some of its peacekeeping soldiers were injured in the clashes.
Over 90% of Kosovo's population are Albanian MuslimsOver 90% of Kosovo's population are Albanian Muslims
Are Serbia and Russia involved in the violence? Who is to blame for the violence?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the tensions were alarming and may lead to a "huge explosion" in the heart of Europe. Kosovo's prime minister Albin Kurti accused Serbia's government of supporting the gunmen involved in the most recent clashes.
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. However, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic said Kosovo officials bore ultimate responsibility.
There is no evidence to substantiate the claims. The EU had been mediating between the two sides, but the talks collapsed.
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. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell blamed Mr Kurti for failing to take steps to give Serbs more autonomy.
Kosovo's foreign minister, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, criticised Mr Borrell's statement, saying it did not express support for the police nor call the attackers "terrorists".
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