The armed assault in Banjska, Zvecan, has prompted an escalation in the presence of Kosovo’s Police special forces in the northern region.
Just two and a half months earlier, the Kosovo Government had agreed to reduce the presence of these units in this predominantly Serbian-populated area as part of an agreement with the European Union aimed at de-escalating tensions.
However, the situation took a different turn at the end of May when Albanian mayors assumed their roles in municipal buildings, accompanied by special police forces. This move led to sporadic and sometimes violent reactions from the local population, who opposed both the Albanian mayors and the presence of Kosovo’s Police special forces.
Under pressure from the EU, the Kosovo Government eventually consented to halve the presence of the special unit around municipal buildings in the north and committed to holding new elections in the region.
However, the September 24 attack in Banjska, where armed groups targeted Kosovo’s Police, resulting in the death of one officer, changed the course of events.
Police presence bolstered
Gazmend Hoxha, the General Director of the Kosovo Police, confirmed that the police have already increased their presence in the north.
“We have heightened our presence and vigilance along the border line. Additionally, we have bolstered the presence of Kosovo Police’s special unit in northern Kosovo. We have somewhat scaled back the patrols of regular police officers due to their limited protection against potential attacks,” Hoxha explained.
While Hoxha did not provide specific details regarding the enhancement of the special unit’s capabilities, he emphasized that his institution maintains continuous coordination with NATO’s peacekeeping mission, KFOR, and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX.
Radio Free Europe attempted to reach out to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo concerning the presence of special forces in the north, but no response had been received at the time of publishing.
Addressing the situation on the day of the Banjska attack, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti asserted that “there is no agreement or rule preventing Kosovo Police’s special unit from operating in all four northern municipalities (North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic), just as it operates throughout the Republic’s territory”.
Kurti further elaborated, explaining that Kosovo had inherited an agreement from former Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi regarding the presence of the Kosovo Security Force in the north, which was supposed to be mutually agreed upon with KFOR. Kurti emphasized that Kosovo has and continues to honor this unilateral commitment made by Thaçi to former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The northern region of Kosovo is home to approximately 50,000 Serbs. Since the end of the conflict, most of them have not recognized the decisions of Kosovo’s institutions but instead follow parallel structures operating under Serbia’s guidance.
The area has witnessed recurring tensions, sometimes escalating into violence, necessitating interventions by Kosovo’s Police to restore order.
Responsibility for Kosovo’s border with Serbia falls under NATO’s KFOR mission, while Kosovo Police is responsible for the remainder of the border.
However, a 2014 decision by the KFOR commander allows Kosovo Police to patrol up to one kilometer from the border with Serbia.
Following the May disturbances, KFOR increased its presence in Kosovo with several hundred additional soldiers. The mission condemned the Banjska attack and expressed readiness to intervene if necessary.
In its responses, the European Union also condemned the Banjska attack, emphasizing the need to verify all relevant facts. However, there has been no mention of Kosovo’s Police special forces’ presence in the north.
Meanwhile, Kosovo has accused Serbia of responsibility for the Banjska attack, while Serbia has pointed fingers at Kosovo Serbs.
The international community has called on both sides to return to the diplomatic path.
