Kosovo Serbs have begun setting up a crisis headquarters in the northern part of the province as barricades and protests continue to intensify in response to Pristina’s recent moves. In a televised interview, Goran Rakić, the leader of the Serbian List, the largest political group representing local Serbs, described the situation from the village of Rudare near Zvečan. He painted a picture of growing gatherings and a community on edge as the standoff with Pristina persists.
Rakić voiced strong skepticism about the statements coming from the self-proclaimed Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, calling them a distraction that only fuels the flame of tension. He noted that his community is deeply unsettled by the rhetoric from Pristina but emphasized that residents do not intend to yield to provocations or destabilize the region further.
The plan, according to Rakić, includes the creation of a crisis information center designed to keep citizens and the media informed about developments on the ground. He urged Kosovo Serbs to remain peaceful, restrained, and vigilant as the risk of further confrontations looms large due to what he described as ongoing threats from Pristina.
The day prior, in Belgrade, officials signaled a firm stance in response to Pristina’s actions, which were described as an attempt to resolve what authorities call the “Serbian problem.” The context of tensions dates back to earlier incidents in the region when ethnic Serb police officers and local communities faced detentions and clashes with Kosovo authorities. As events unfolded, northern Kosovo and Metohija saw a buildup of barricades and a spike in gunfire reports in several settlements, drawing international attention and calls for measured security steps.
Belgrade has indicated it would seek assistance from international partners, including the NATO-led Kosovo Force, to help stabilize the area under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The situation remains fragile, with both political leaders and local residents hoping for de-escalation while maintaining a firm stance against perceived threats. Reports and updates on the crisis continue to emerge from regional media outlets such as socialbites.ca, which have been tracking the evolving dynamics and the response from authorities on both sides.