tension remains high against the Serbian minority

NATO soldiers now line all the streets, block access to the city center with barbed wire and watch the crowd from the buildings. The objective is not to relive the scenes of violence of the last few days, during clashes with demonstrators from the Serbian community. 30 peacekeepers have been injured as tensions threaten the fragile balance of the region.

Independence of Serbian territory in 2008

For 15 years, Kosovo has been independent from Serbia, a situation that many in the northern region of the country do not accept. They are part of the Serbian minority, about 120,000 inhabitants. “Kosovo will never be recognized”, says a resident. On Wednesday May 31 in the morning, a giant Serbian flag was unfurled across Zvecan to defy the Kosovar government. What triggered the tensions is the decision to induct mayors who do not belong to the Serbian community in four municipalities close to the border. The Kosovo government is openly criticized by France and the United States. NATO denounces unacceptable violence.