Kosovo Police have reported that in the early hours of September 22, a hand grenade was thrown into the yard of a Serbian individual’s residence in the village of Ranillug.

According to the 24-hour Police report released on September 23, the explosion resulted in material damage to the victim’s house.

While no injuries were reported, authorities are actively investigating the incident.

Ranillug is situated near the city of Gjilan.

Another grenade attack was documented on September 21 in North Mitrovica.

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Xhelal Sveçla has characterized the assault in the northern region as a response to the arrest of three Serbs on suspicion of war crimes.

On September 20, three Serbs were apprehended in the northern area.

Both the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia and the Serb List, the primary Serbian party in Kosovo, have alleged that these arrests are politically motivated.

In response to the grenade attacks, U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier issued a statement on September 22, expressing deep concern.

“We are deeply dismayed to read reports of explosive device used in multiple parts of Kosovo. We condemn these acts of violence and call on the authorities to conduct thorough investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Hovenier stated on the X, formerly known as Twitter.

Deeply dismayed to read reports of explosive devices used in multiple parts of Kosovo.  We condemn these acts of violence and call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

— Ambassador Jeff Hovenier (@USAmbKosovo) September 22, 2023

The European Union has also commented on the northern attack, stating that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Tensions in the north have remained high since May, when residents of northern municipalities with a Serbian majority refused to accept the newly elected Albanian mayors, despite boycotting the electoral process.

In some instances, this situation has escalated into violence.