Politics Explosion in Kosovo - government blames Serbia

In the heavily Serbian-populated north of Kosovo, militants are believed to have used an explosive device to damage a water channel that supplies two important coal-fired power plants. No one was injured. According to the police, the explosive device weighed between 15 and 20 kilograms and was activated by a mechanical detonator with a slow-burning wick.

Eight suspects were arrested and weapons, ammunition and other military equipment were confiscated following raids. The power stations are now able to work again as pipes have been laid at the damaged site, the media reported.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti described the incident as an act of terrorism directed by Belgrade. Serbia's government rejected the accusation. The party of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo, Srpska Lista, condemned the damage to the canal and demanded an investigation by the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR and the EU rule of law mission Eulex. KFOR had guarded the damaged canal, the mission wrote in a statement to journalists, which was also made available to dpa.

Guns, grenades and detonators confiscated

The raids were carried out at ten different locations, said Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla. The eight detainees were suspected of being involved in the explosion on the canal as well as in recent attacks with hand grenades on the police station and a municipal facility in the town of Zvecan.

Three hand grenades, two AK47 rifles, a revolver, ammunition of various calibers, detonators for activating explosive devices, 200 military uniforms, military helmets, masks, knives and money were confiscated, said police chief Gazmend Hoxha. The explosion on the canal was classified as an act of terrorism.

Head of government speaks of terrorist attack

"The attack was carried out by professionals. It is the next criminal and terrorist attack, which we believe comes from gangs orchestrated and directed by Serbia," said Kurti. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic supports these criminal structures. The Serbian side has "the interest, the willingness and the ability to carry out such attacks and damage", as evidenced by the use of large quantities of explosives in the current case, said Kurti.

Kurti also referred to Milan Radoicic, the Kosovo-Serbian businessman who claimed responsibility for a serious incident in September 2023. At that time, a 30-strong, heavily armed Serbian commando unit had taken up position in Banjska near Mitrovica in northern Kosovo and fought with the Kosovo police. Radoicic fled to Serbia and was not held criminally responsible there.

Serbia's President Vucic described the accusations as unfounded, "premature and without evidence", as his party announced. This was irresponsible and endangered peace and stability in the region. He called for an impartial investigation with the participation of international partners.

The tensions between Kosovo and Serbia continue despite international attempts at mediation. Kosovo, which is now almost exclusively inhabited by Albanians, seceded from Serbia in 1999 with the help of NATO and declared independence in 2008. More than 100 countries, including Germany, recognize its independence. However, Serbia has still not come to terms with the loss of its former province and is reclaiming it for itself.

SDA