Title: White House Urges Serbia to Withdraw Military Deployment from Kosovo’s Border Amid Rising Tensions
Subtitle: Deadly Clash in Kosovar Village Sparks International Concern
Date: September 30, 2022
Amid escalating tensions following a deadly clash in a Kosovar village, the White House has called on Serbia to withdraw its large military deployment from the border with Kosovo. The United States emphasized that the build-up was a “very destabilizing development” that could further aggravate the situation.
According to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national-security adviser Jake Sullivan have already initiated talks with Serbian and Kosovar officials to address the issue.
“We are monitoring a large Serbian military deployment along the border that includes unprecedented staging of advanced Serbian artillery, tanks, and mechanized infantry units. We believe that this is a very destabilizing development,” said Kirby during a conference call.
Furthermore, Kirby announced that there would be an increase in the peacekeeping force known as KFOR in northern Kosovo. Currently, around 600 U.S. forces are participating in the peacekeeping mission.
In response to the mounting tensions, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with Secretary Blinken and expressed the need for de-escalation. Vucic also emphasized the importance of a greater role for KFOR in maintaining peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Milan Radoicic, a prominent official of the main ethnic-Serb political party in Kosovo, admitted to organizing and participating in the events that led to the recent clash between Kosovo police and attackers at an Orthodox monastery. Radoicic claimed that his actions were aimed at encouraging Serbs in the region to resist what he referred to as “the terror of [Kosovo Prime Minister Albin] Kurti’s regime.”
The admission from Radoicic comes after Kosovo accused him of orchestrating the attack in Banjska on September 24, which resulted in the deaths of three attackers and a Kosovar police officer.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Kosovar Interior Minister Xelal Svecla claimed that Radoicic did not act alone and alleged continuous support from President Vucic and the Serbian government. He further accused Vucic of having extremist ideas that contributed to the attack on the monastery.
Svecla also stated that the investigation into the attack had revealed the involvement of “over 80 terrorists” and was exploring possible Russian participation. He disclosed that Russian weapons, equipment, and documents suggesting Russian involvement were discovered.
Serbian President Vucic, while denying claims of Serbian involvement, acknowledged that Radoicic would be questioned by Serbian authorities regarding the incident. Vucic described Radoicic as a fighter for freedom but emphasized the need for him to answer pertinent questions.
Milan Radoicic is a construction tycoon and a high-ranking figure in the main ethnic Serb political party in Kosovo, Serbian List, funded primarily by Belgrade. He was sanctioned by the United States and Britain in 2021 for alleged involvement in organized crime.
Kosovo has accused Serbia of direct involvement in the clashes, a claim that Belgrade denies. Kosovar Interior Minister Svecla also raised suspicions of possible links between the attackers and Russia, highlighting evidence concerning individuals and equipment.
The recent attack on the Orthodox monastery has further strained regional tensions, particularly as the European Union and the United States have been actively seeking a deal to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
As the situation continues to unfold, international officials are closely monitoring developments in order to ensure stability and prevent further escalation of hostilities.
Sources: Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters