Tensions high in Kosovo as Serb protesters try to stop Albanian mayors from taking office

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA): Tensions gripped Kosovo again on Monday as Serb protesters attempted to bar newly elected Albanian mayors from entering three municipal buildings, forcing police to fire tear gas shells to disperse them.

NATO’s Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) also assisted police in clearing paths for the mayors of Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic in Mitrovica District to enter their respective municipal buildings on the day of their swearing-in ceremonies.

This is the second incident in five days, as Serbs gathered in Zvecan municipality on Friday to prevent the newly elected Albanian mayor from taking up his official duties after his swearing-in. During the clashes with the police, 10 people were injured.

Last month, Kosovo Serbs boycotted extraordinary local government elections for four municipalities in the country’s north. Only 3.47% of eligible voters cast ballots, according to the Kosovo Central Election Commission (KQZ).

Earlier, on Monday morning, Serbs gathered in front of three municipalities, demanding that the police leave the buildings and that the newly elected Albanian mayors do not begin their official duties.

In Zvecan municipality, protesters attempted to breach the police cordon in front of the town hall, the police said in a statement, adding that they used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

There have been no independent reports of injuries from tear gas by police.

Meanwhile, the US, UK, France, Italy, and Germany issued a joint statement, urging elected Albanian mayors to exercise restraint in order to fulfill their responsibilities to represent and serve all members of their communities.

Local media reported that US Ambassador Jeff Hovenier invited the four mayors of the north to meet.