Kosovo authorities raided ten Belgrade-linked offices in Serb areas, prompting Serbia to label the move a “dangerous escalation” ahead of parliamentary elections. The action aims to dismantle Serbia’s parallel political presence in Kosovo. Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla announced the end of Serbia’s influence, while Serbia’s Foreign Minister criticized the raids as undermining ethnic Serbs’ rights. Tensions are heightened following failed negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia.
On Wednesday, Kosovo authorities executed raids on ten local government offices affiliated with Belgrade in predominantly ethnic Serb regions, as reported by the interior ministry. The Serbian government has condemned this action as a “dangerous escalation” occurring shortly before Kosovo’s parliamentary elections. This operation is part of a wider initiative to dismantle Serbia’s informal political and social services presence in Kosovo.
The offices targeted during the raids had not provided any tangible services but were seen as a representation of Serbia’s political influence in Kosovo. Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla announced the closures on social media, emphasizing that “the era of parallel and criminal municipalities and institutions of Serbia in the Republic of Kosovo ends.” Additionally, Serbian post offices and banks were also closed during this operation.
Minister Svecla reiterated Kosovo’s commitment to prevent Serbia’s parallel systems from undermining the nation’s constitution and rule of law. In response, Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Marko Djuric, criticized the closures, referring to them as a “dangerous escalation” and an aggressive attempt to undermine the rights of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo.
These raids occur amidst heightened ethnic tensions and serve as a significant element of Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s election campaign, which seeks to curtail the influence of Serbian institutions in Kosovo. Over the past year, Kosovo has enacted measures to eliminate the use of the Serbian dinar, closed banks that facilitated transactions in that currency, and restricted the driving of vehicles bearing Serbian license plates.
The ongoing tensions stem from failed negotiations mediated by the EU and the US in 2023, exacerbating historic animosity that dates back to the late 1990s war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian rebels. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a claim that Serbia continues to reject. While Kosovo is predominantly ethnic Albanian, several municipalities along the northern border with Serbia still maintain Serbian majorities.
The recent raids in Kosovo contextually arise from the long-standing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, particularly in areas with significant ethnic Serb populations. Post-war, Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia refuses to recognize. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have historically maintained a degree of autonomy and connection to Serbia, often via informal institutions in territories where they are the majority. These ongoing operations by Kosovo’s authorities indicate a decisive move towards consolidating its political sovereignty by dismantling Serbian influence.
In conclusion, the raids and closures of Serbia-linked offices are a hallmark of Kosovo’s effort to eliminate parallel political systems established by Serbia. Minister Svecla’s commitment to uphold the constitution and rule of law underscores a broader strategy to strengthen Kosovo’s sovereignty. As the parliamentary elections approach, the situation remains tense, with Serbia’s responses likely to amplify ethnic divisions and political discord in the region.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
