After last month’s elections, tensions in Kosovo have continued to rise, prompting NATO to announce the deployment of an additional 700 troops and place another battalion on high alert.
Following elections last month, ethnic Albanians assumed the role of mayor in the predominantly Serb northern region.
On Monday, around 30 NATO peacekeepers were injured while protecting three town halls from Serb protesters in northern Kosovo. 52 protesters were hurt during the clashes.
Tuesday saw Serbs protesting the Albanian mayor in the town of Zvecan, prompting the deployment of dozens of NATO soldiers in anti-riot gear from the United States, Poland, and Italy to secure a municipal building.
Serbian officials in Zvecan told the Serbian Tanjug news agency that the protesters had dispersed at around 4 p.m. and planned to return on Wednesday morning.
There are already over 4,000 NATO soldiers stationed in Kosovo.
The United States and its allies have condemned Kosovo for fueling tensions with Serbia, arguing that the province’s use of force to install mayors in Serb areas has harmed efforts to normalize ties with Serbia.
The majority of Serbs in northern Kosovo have never accepted Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia. They still think of Belgrade as their capital, even though it’s been more than 20 years since Kosovo Albanians rose up against Serbia’s rule.
