WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has voiced its apprehension regarding a significant Serbian military deployment near the Kosovo border, marking a concerning escalation in tensions between the two nations.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, in a statement to reporters, revealed that Serbia had staged advanced artillery, tanks, and mechanized infantry units near the border. Describing the move as highly destabilizing, Kirby called on Serbia to withdraw its forces from the area.
The military build-up occurred over the past week, although its exact purpose remains unclear, Kirby stated. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a telephone conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, urging an immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue. Vucic, while not directly confirming the build-up, denied claims of heightened combat readiness, emphasizing a lack of troops compared to previous months.
US Communicates Concerns to Kosovo PM
In response to the situation, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan communicated concerns to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, emphasizing the importance of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia for long-term stability. The recent tensions followed clashes initiated by heavily armed Serb gunmen who ambushed a patrol near the Serbian border, resulting in the death of a Kosovar police officer. The assailants then barricaded themselves at an Orthodox monastery, engaging in a firefight with security forces.
The attack exhibited a high level of sophistication, involving military-grade weapons, equipment, and training, according to Kirby. In response, the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, known as KFOR, will increase its presence, and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg confirmed readiness to bolster the KFOR force to address the situation.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has faced enduring tensions between its ethnic Albanian majority and Serb minority. The recent events have heightened concerns, especially in northern Kosovo, where relations have been particularly strained in recent months.
