Conflict in Kosovo: Police Regain Control After Armed Attack

The Kosovo authorities have stated that the police have regained control of the territory around the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Banská in the north of the country after a tense confrontation provoked by an armed group's attack, which resulted in the death of a police officer.

This was reported by France24.

"We have taken control of this territory. This was achieved after several consecutive battles," said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Djelal Svekla, to journalists on September 24.

The government official also clarified that three attackers were killed, and six individuals were arrested. Among those detained were two attackers and four individuals found with radio communication equipment and a "significant amount of weapons, ammunition, and other materials."

It is worth reminding that on September 24, it became known that ethnic Serbian militants in armored vehicles stormed a village in northern Kosovo. Armed individuals engaged in a battle with the police and barricaded themselves in the Serbian monastery of Banská.

At that time, Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, reported that the police were conducting a special operation against "heavily armed" attackers. It was reported that the group consisted of 30 armed individuals dressed in military-like uniforms.

Subsequently, it was announced that the Kosovo authorities decided to close the border crossing point with Serbia, near the location of the armed attack.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Djelal Svekla, referred to this incident as a "criminal and terrorist act," emphasizing that the armed group operated "with political, financial, and material-technical support from official Belgrade."

Reacting to the events, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed regret over the police officer's death. However, he emphasized that ethnic Serbs in Kosovo do not want to endure the "terror" of Prime Minister Kurti. At the same time, Vucic did not take responsibility for the terrorist act on Kosovo's territory.

In turn, the EU condemned the attack on the police officer in northern Kosovo.

"I strongly condemn the heinous attack by an armed gang on Kosovo police officers, which resulted in the death of one police officer and injuries to two others," said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Additionally, the official emphasized the importance of establishing all facts and holding the responsible parties accountable. He also reported that the EU EULEX special commission is on-site and closely cooperating with the authorities.