NATO's international peacekeeping force in Kosovo announced the strengthening of its presence in four municipalities, in the north of the country, following clashes between the Serb minority and the Kosovo security forces.

The peacekeepers, known as KFOR, called on all parties to refrain from actions that fuel tension or cause escalation, stressing that they are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure "a secure environment in a neutral and fair manner."

Kfour also added new barricades around the Zvečan town hall as Serb protesters continued to flock to the venue, urging Belgrade and Pristina to engage in the EU-led dialogue to reduce tensions.

KFOR stressed that it was seeking to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Kosovo following clashes in the region yesterday.

🎥 Dhunë, gaz, tension: Zhvillimet në veri në dy minuta

Fillimisht gaz lotsjellës e më pas dhunë. Kështu është karakterizuar e hëna e 29 majit në tri komunat në veri të Kosovës, me shumicë serbe: Zveçan, Zubin Potok dhe Leposaviq.

🔗https://t.co/xqZrgCQlBg pic.twitter.com/32oy8du67F

— Radio Evropa e Lirë (@evropaelire) May 29, 2023

Ilir Peci, the recently elected mayor of Zvečan (from the town's Albanian minority), said he would travel to his office today for a number of meetings, stressing that he was in contact with KFOR and Kosovo police.

Serbian protesters continue to demonstrate in front of the buildings of three municipalities in northern Kosovo for a third day to reject the installation of new mayors from the Albanian minority in those municipalities after elections boycotted by the Serb minority, in which the turnout did not exceed 3%.

Kosovo police said on Monday that clashes took place between police and citizens of Serb nationality, who tried to take control of the municipality building "Zvecan" in the north of the country.

The town also witnessed clashes between the Serb minority and NATO-led peacekeepers in the vicinity of the town hall.


Dozens of injuries with the force of "Kfour"

More than 30 members of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) were injured yesterday during those clashes.

The multinational force said it had been subjected to "unprovoked" attacks after demonstrators clashed with police and tried to make their way to a government building in the northern town of Zvečan.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said 52 Serbs were wounded, three of them seriously, while one was wounded "by two shots fired by Albanian (ethnic) special forces."

Hungary's defense minister said in a Facebook post that "more than 20 Hungarian soldiers" were among the injured, seven of them in serious condition, but in stable condition.

Italy's foreign minister said three Italian soldiers were seriously injured, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday night expressed her "strong condemnation" and called on "all parties to take a step back and reduce tensions."

In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry said it condemned in the strongest terms the violence, calling on both Belgrade and Pristina to "return to the negotiating table" with a view to reaching a settlement.

"We cannot tolerate regional stability being jeopardized in such a critical international context. This is a matter of Europe's security."


Frequent encounters

Kosovo (the province that declared independence in 2008) has seen frequent confrontations in the north, with Belgrade encouraging Serbs to challenge the country's authorities seeking to impose their sovereignty over the entire region.

Some 120,1 Serbs live in Kosovo, a country of 8.<> million people, the overwhelming majority of whom are Albanians.

Protesters are seeking to prevent elected Albanian mayors from taking office in Serb-majority towns in northern Kosovo.

Mayors took office after winning local elections last month in four mostly Serb municipalities who largely boycotted the election, with only 4,1500 voters out of 45,<> registered voters taking part.

The protesters are also demanding the withdrawal of special security forces deployed in the area for several days.

Serbs, whose political representatives left local administrations in northern Kosovo last November in the context of a standoff between Belgrade and Pristina, boycotted municipal elections organised by the Kosovo government in April to end the institutional vacuum.

Last Friday, the Serbian president ordered his country's army to be alert and "move" towards the border with Kosovo.

Earlier, KFOR announced that it had increased its number in the northern provinces of Kosovo, following recent developments in the region.

KFOUR called on all parties to refrain from any actions that may increase tension and lead to escalation, stressing its readiness to take any necessary measures to maintain peace and stability with all impartiality.