In the north of Kosovo, Kosovo Serbs gathered again near the Zvecan municipality as social tensions rose on May 30, with crowds regaining momentum after unrest the day before. The gathering was reported by the Kosovo portal online, which provided a detailed account of the scene and the crowd’s size as the day progressed.
Eyewitness reports indicate that hundreds of residents moved toward the municipal administration building, with numbers swelling as the day wore on. Journalists noted that a cordon formed by soldiers from the NATO-led KFOR mission, including a barrier placed about 50 meters from the town hall, helped to manage the crowd and create a controlled perimeter around the building. The presence of NATO troops with protective shields and dispersal equipment remained a visible reminder of the tension in the area (Kosovo portal online).
As had been seen the previous day, KFOR forces maintained a defensive posture while Kosovo police special units, armored and ready, stood outside the KFOR perimeter. These arrangements were described as a precaution to keep order while allowing for peaceful assembly, according to the same reporting source (Kosovo portal online).
Earlier on May 29, thousands of Kosovo Serbs gathered in front of local government offices in the northern province, demanding the withdrawal of police units and the recall of Kosovo Albanian mayors. NATO troops were deployed to the municipal buildings in Zvechan, Leposavich, and Zubin Potok, and a substantial Kosovo police presence followed to prevent the crowd from entering the structures. The situation escalated around 17:00 local time when clashes occurred between civilians and security forces, highlighting the fragility of the situation and the potential for further demonstrations (Kosovo portal online).
Vyosa Osmani, who leads the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo, later accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of orchestrating the clashes in the north, including attacks on police officers, the KFOR unit, and journalists. The accusation underscored the political strain fueling the demonstrations and the ongoing dispute over governance and security in the region (Kosovo portal online).