Riots in Kosovo: China expresses support for Serbia

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KFOR units in Zvecan with traces of the riots of the previous day

Photo: Dejan Simicevic / dpa

The heavy clashes between militant Serbs and units of the NATO-led KFOR protection force in northern Kosovo are causing a stir beyond the region. China and Russia are now siding with Serbia.

China supports Serbia's efforts to protect "sovereignty and territorial integrity," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, according to the AP news agency. China does not recognize Kosovo's unilateral independence from Serbia in 2008.

Mao claimed that behind the violence was the failure to grant political rights to Serbs in the region. "We oppose the actions of Kosovo's provisional self-governing institutions," the spokeswoman said.

China's critical attitude towards NATO is also related to the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999 in the context of the Kosovo war. The Chinese embassy was hit, three Chinese journalists were killed and others were injured.

Moscow sees "Western propaganda"

Similar tones came from Moscow. "We call on the West to stop its false propaganda and blame the incidents in Kosovo on Serbs," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Serbs had been "driven to despair," it said. Russia has historically maintained close relations with Serbia, and in recent years the two countries have moved even closer together.

The clashes occurred on Monday afternoon, when Serb militants protested against the appointment of new mayors in Zvecan and other municipalities. KFOR soldiers, who secured the municipal office in Zvecan, dispersed the violent protest, local media reported.

They used stun grenades and tear gas. The crowd in turn threw stones, incendiary devices, bottles and other objects at them. A Serb was wounded by gunfire, the hospital in the nearby town of Mitrovica said. Another 52 Serbs were admitted there with injuries, the hospital said.

Mayoral election in April continues to have an impact

The dispute over the appointment of Albanian mayors in the region, which is inhabited mainly by Serbs, has been smouldering for some time. In northern Kosovo, a total of three mayors of Albanian origin were elected in April. Because almost all Serbs boycotted the election, the election winners come from Albanian parties. The previous Serbian mayors had resigned from their positions in November 2022 in protest against the policies of the Kosovar government.

The KFOR troops were supposed to secure the office building instead of the Kosovo special police. This had gained access to the municipal office last Friday, which had already triggered violent protests by militant Serbs. On Monday morning, about 300 KFOR soldiers in combat gear took up position in front of the municipal office in Zvecan – at the same time, numerous Serbs gathered in front of the building. Later, the situation escalated.

NATO and Federal Foreign Office condemn riots

NATO strongly condemned the attacks on KFOR troops on Monday evening. "Such attacks are completely unacceptable. The violence must stop immediately," said a spokeswoman for the military alliance. The Foreign Office in Berlin also condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms" on Monday evening.

"We demand the immediate cessation of all violence and all actions that lead to further tensions," a ministry spokesman said. "A de-escalation of the situation is now urgently needed."

On Tuesday, according to the AFP news agency, Serbian demonstrators gathered again in front of the city administration. KFOR soldiers erected a metal barrier around the administration. Accordingly, there were no renewed riots at first.

fek/AP/dpa/AFP