AreaRead the video transcript here
Violent clashes in Kosovo: Around two dozen soldiers of the NATO peacekeeping force KFOR have been injured in violent protests by ethnic Serbs. Some of them are said to have suffered broken bones and burns.
The conflict between the Serb minority and the Albanian majority in Kosovo flared up after the local elections in April. In protest, many Serbs boycotted the election. As a result, Albanian mayoral candidates won in Serb-majority municipalities.
When they wanted to take office on Monday, protesting crowds gathered in front of the town halls. The violence escalated quickly and was also directed against the NATO peacekeeping force. Soldiers are said to have been attacked with incendiary devices. The police, made up of ethnic Albanians, used tear gas to crack down on the protests. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said 52 Serbs had been injured.
Serbia put its armed forces on the border with Kosovo in high combat readiness. EU Commissioner Borrell appealed to both sides to de-escalate the conflict.
Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
"There's enough violence. There has been too much violence. We already have too much violence in Europe today. We cannot afford another conflict. I hope that my voice will be heard and that people will respond to this request."
The majority of Serbs in the region have never accepted Kosovo's independence, which was declared in 2008. To this day, she sees Belgrade as her capital.