NATO’s mission in Kosovo, KFOR, had to intervene today to stop violent protests by Serbs in northern Kosovo, who refused to accept the powers of the mayors of the four municipalities where they formed the majority. they left at least 50 demonstrators and 25 soldiers wounded.
KFOR reported that 25 Hungarian and Italian soldiers were injured with fractures, bruises and burns caused by incendiary devices.
The NATO mission used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the protesters who blocked the entrance to the Town Hall. the town of Zvecan, where the most violent clashes were recorded.
More than 50 people poisoned and injured by tear gas were treated at the hospital, 3 of which were hospitalized. one person suffered a serious gunshot wound and his life is in dangerAccording to the N1 station, Zlatan Elek, director of the Mitrovica Clinical Center, reported.
Serbsmajority in these municipalities but a minority in Kosovo, they do not recognize the authority of mayors, who belong to the country’s Albanian majority.
Members of the assembly were elected last April in an election that Serbs boycotted, with turnout only 3%.
United States of America And European Union condemned the attacks of international troops and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia MelonyHe said he “condemned the attack in the strongest terms”.
Among those injured in the riots in Kosovo There are 11 Italian armiesItalian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on social networks that 3 people were serious, although they were not life-threatening.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of forcing the mayors to enter municipal buildings that were closed by protesters three days ago, using special police forces. .
The United States and many European countries have already condemned Kosovo’s use of force.and the US even suggested that mayors perform their duties from other buildings to help calm the situation.
Vucic urged Kosovo Serbs to demonstrate peacefully and “not engage in conflict with NATO”.
Kosovo, a former Serbian province inhabited by the vast majority of Albanians, declared its independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize.
Both countries are negotiating normalization of their relations on a new European Union planIt is in a US-backed process often interrupted by the outbreak of tension.