Summary: In this study we analyse photographs, videos, reports, articles and documents of hostile attitudes, irredentism, violence and chauvinism in the Serb-dominated northern part of Mitrovica, and the consequences for regular Serbs and Albanians, and for the security of the Albanian government, as well as for the peace and stability of the Balkans.
Even though the territory of the republic of Kosovo includes the Serbian enclave in northern Mitrovia, there has been, since the early 2000s, many riots, incidents and attacks which has threatened the peace. Serbian ultra-nationalists, criminal networks, former war criminals and others have inofficially declared that the northern enclave is “independently Serbian”.
This phenomena has been fuelled by Serbian right-wing propaganda, mainly from the Serbian mainland, but also other regions. These rioters and individuals are driven by the idea of “Greater Serbia”, an irredentist movement. Albanian authorities have had much difficulty securing the peace of the region.
No authority since 2013
The reality is that Albanian authorities have never had authority or control of the northern enclave since 2013. It took years of international and domestic engagement to convince the Serbs of the North to participate in the elections, until 10 years ago they agreed to integrate local institutions with the central ones in Pristina.
Explosions and shooting in the north in 2022. Mitropol writes:
“Mitrovica residents concerned about explosions and shootings in the north, sirens continue to be heard. Improvised explosive devices were thrown today in the north of the country in North Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, reports “Mitropol”.
In the north, the explosive device was thrown at the “Three Skyscrapers” and gunshots were heard, towards which an ambulance was sent, as seen in the video previously published by Mitropol.
Sources from “Mitropol” report that Serbs have begun to gather in front of the buildings of the four northern municipalities, after the alarm known as ‘uzbuna’ was issued, while citizens from the south have been removed by the Police from the Ibar Bridge.
In the north, Eulex police vehicles have also been seen, while Serbian media claim that KFOR helicopters also flew over Serbian settlements.
These uprisings are taking place after CEC officials went to the north today for the elections to be held on December 18, while Albanians from the south are expressing concern about the explosions and gunfire that were also heard in the south.”
The bridge that separates the north frorm the south
A desire for Belgrad to help
The Albanian paper “Gazeta Koha Jon” published an article, referring to a report from Banjska, where Ben Blushi states that 40,000 Serbs from the north hope that Belgrade will take them within the territory, otherwise they would have fled to Serbia.
Serbian protests in 2022
In 2022, Veriu.info published a video showing northern Serb citizens launching a protest to oppose the Kosovo Government’s decision not to allow the April 3 Serbian elections in Kosovo.
“They are protesting in the “Car Lazar” square in northern Mitrovica. The protesters are being led by the leader of the Serbian List, Goran Rakić.
Kosovo police are closely monitoring the protest, while it has been warned that similar protests will be held in several other municipalities with a Serb majority.
Meanwhile, QUINT-countries called on Friday for restraint in Kosovo, and to avoid actions that could incite conflict. Northern Serbs begin gathering for protest Serbs in northern Kosovo have begun gathering in the “Car Lazar” square to protest against the decision of the Kosovo Government, which does not allow the April 3 Serbian elections to be held in Kosovo.
They are holding banners that read, among other things, “Serbs’ survival in Kosovo and Metohija is at risk.” The Kosovo government has said that Serbian citizens can vote in these elections through the post office or through Serbia’s liaison office in Kosovo, but these options have not been accepted by Belgrade. The Serbian government is demanding that polling stations open in Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo on April 3.”
Accounts of attacks and riots by Serbian activists
Albanian police scatter violent Serbian protesters in 2021. Full video here.
Serbian violent rioters and incidents
Serbian extremists violently attack riot police.
The moment when Goran Rakic is attacked by Serb protesters in Northern Mitrovica. Video here.
Barricade set up by Serbian rioters.
Northern Serbs desecrate Kosovos flag on Albanian cars, and cover the map with the Cyrillic letters “Kosovo is Serbia”. Video here.
The moment when the Special Unit “clashes” with firearms with armed northern Serbian terrorists during the operation to arrest suspects from the Northern Municipalities of Kosovo. Video here.
Consequences
Serbian politician Ana Brnabić demanded the formation of teams of psychologists to treat the Serbian rioters who blocked the roads in Serbia. However, no statement was made when Serbian rioters blocked the roads in Mitrovica, which led to Albanian police officer Afrim Bunjaku being killed by Serbian extremists.
Economical reasons and consequences of Belgrad sending Serbian colonists to Mitrovica
According to Ben Andoni, due to economical reasons, many Serbs will most likely leave the enclave when the visa liberalisation begins. He says:
“They will leave because it cannot continue like this. In the north of Kosovo, there are more people left who are not fit for work and benefit, you know, they benefited from the energy problems that Belgrade covered, or at least the state of Kosovo did not receive money, from these small benefits they stayed there, they survived, because this is the policy of the Serbs. They wanted Kosovo not to be depopulated by Serbs”.
Discussion
Due to Serbian propaganda, from the Serbian government, politicians and the Orthodox church, combined with criminal organizations and irredentist movements both in Serbia and in the northern Serbian enclave, Mitrovica has been the victim of constant instability for almost a decade. Many incidents which have led to the civilians and public officials being injured and sometimes even killed. Economical factors may also contribute to social instability, however, considering Serbian governmental funds supporting the northern Serbs, and the fact that they pay little to no taxes to the Albanian government, the financial aspect is minimal. These phenomenas are fuelled, unfortunately, by Greater Serbian propaganda, and by Serbian criminals who refuse to abide by Albanian law. Until the Albanian government implements policies and decisions to secure the peace, together with the Serbian government and the international community, we will most likely see more unfortunate incidents and violence, both against Albanian civilians and police officers, but also among the Serbian residents themselves.
References
Balkan Academia 