Serbia on Monday placed its security troops on the border with Kosovo on “the full state of combat readiness,” ignoring NATO’s calls for calming down of tensions between the two wartime Balkan foes.
PRISTINA, Kosovo—
It was not immediately clear what this order meant on the ground as Serbian troops have been on alert for a while on the border with Kosovo. Officials claim alleged harassment of Kosovo Serbs by ethnic Albanians who are a majority in the breakaway province that declared its independence in 2008. The peacekeepers, known as KFOR, said the incident happened near one of their patrols, involving unknown people. A statement said no one was injured and “we are working to establish all the facts.”
“It is important for all involved to avoid any rhetoric or actions that can cause tensions and escalate the situation,” KFOR said in a statement. “We expect all actors to refrain from provocative shows of force and to seek the best solution to ensure the safety and security of all communities.” Serbs in the north previously had walked out of Kosovo’s institutions, claiming harassment by Kosovo authorities. Belgrade repeatedly has warned it would protect local Serbs “with all means” if they are attacked.
Serbia on Sunday held a top-level meeting after the shooting incident, with the army chief of staff later heading to the southern town of Raska, near Kosovo, where Serbian army troops are located. Local media carried a video with shots and shouts heard, but not showing clearly what happened at one of the barricades.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Serbia troops on 'highest level' of alert in latest Kosovo tensionsSerbian armed forces were on “the highest level” of alert, Defence Minister Milos Vucevic said late Monday evening, highlighting the Balkan country’s increasingly strained relations with neighbouring Kosovo over recent shootings and blockades.
Read more »
Serbia troops on ‘highest level’ of alert over latest Kosovo tensionsSerbian armed forces were on “the highest level” of alert, Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said, highlighting the Balkan country’s increasingly strained relations with neighboring Kosovo over recent shootings and blockades. | AFP
Read more »
Intense rain from shear line persists in parts of PhilippinesWeatherAlert: PAGASA warns that more floods and landslides are likely on Monday, December 26.
Read more »
South Korea fires warning shots after North drones cross border - BusinessMirrorSEOUL, South Korea—South Korea’s military fired warning shots and scrambled aircraft after North Korean drones entered the South’s airspace on Monday, South Korean officials said, days after the North launched two ballistic missiles in its latest testing activities. Several North Korean drones crossed the inter-Korean border and were detected in the South’s territory on Monday
Read more »
Shots fired near NATO patrol in Kosovo’s volatile north, NATO saysShots were fired near a NATO patrol in the northern part of Kosovo where local Serbs have set up roadblocks to bar police from Pristina from patrolling the area marred by ethnic tensions in recent months, NATO said. | Reuters
Read more »
Domingo recovers from knockdown, crushes Japanese foeCEBU CITY, Philippines—Filipino ring warrior Esneth Domingo stunned Japanese boxing fans after standing up from a knockdown and beating hometown fighter Kosuke Tomioka via knockout on Monday
Read more »