Serbia does not recognize the 2008 proclaimed independence of its former southern province, which is predominantly populated by Albanians. It encourages the 120,000 Serbs in Kosovo to challenge local authorities, while Pristina seeks to establish its sovereignty over the entire territory. Several hundred Kosovo Serbs have set up roadblocks since December 10 to protest the arrest of a former Serbian police officer, which has paralyzed traffic at two border crossings with Belgrade.
Shortly before General Mojsilovic’s departure for the border area, several Serbian media outlets circulated video of gunshots being heard, claiming they were “fighting” that took place early in the evening as Kosovar forces attempted to dismantle a barricade . This information was immediately denied by the Kosovar police, who assured on their Facebook page that their members had not taken part in any exchange of fire.
On the other hand, the media in Pristina indicated that a NATO peacekeeping force patrol in Kosovo (KFOR) was in the firing zone. Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said the Kfor patrol was attacked. For its part, the coalition force announced that it was investigating shootings “on December 25 near a NATO mission patrol in Kosovo.” “There were no injuries or property damage,” she said.