NATO to deploy additional 700 troops to Kosovo as tensions with ethnic Serbs rise

NATO will deploy an additional 700 troops to Kosovo amid rising tensions with ethnic Serbs.

An further battalion of reserve forces have additionally been placed on excessive alert to be deployed if wanted, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has stated.

He stated assaults in Kosovo “must stop”.

Mr Stoltenberg warned that NATO troops “will take all necessary actions to maintain a safe and secure environment for all citizens in Kosovo”.

He urged each side to take steps to de-escalate, chorus from “further irresponsible behaviour”, and to return to EU-backed talks on bettering relations.

On Monday, 30 NATO troopers have been harm in clashes with ethnic Serbs, in addition to some 50 protesters.

Explainer: Why have tensions flared up between Serbia and Kosovo?

Kosovo is a former province of Serbia which declared independence in 2008 – however Belgrade doesn’t recognise its independence.

Ethnic Albanians make up many of the inhabitants, however Kosovo has a Serb minority within the north of the nation bordering Serbia.

Earlier immediately, Serb protesters reportedly smashed two vehicles belonging to Albanian journalists within the city of Leposavic.

Masked males approached a automotive with an Albanian quantity plate marked as “A2, CNN affiliate” and smashed the windscreen,” a Reuters reporter who witnessed the incident said.

Another car belonging to another media outlet was smashed as well. No one was injured.

Tensions first increased over the weekend after ethnic Albanian officials, elected in votes overwhelmingly boycotted by Serbs, entered municipal buildings.

When the Serbs tried to dam them, Kosovo police fired tear fuel to disperse the gang.

In response, Serbia put the nation’s army on the best state of alert and despatched extra troops to the border with Kosovo.

The Serbs protested once more on Monday, insisting each ethnic Albanian mayors and Kosovo police should go away northern Kosovo.

The confrontations worsened when Serbs tried to enter the municipal workplaces in Zvecan, 28 miles north of the capital Pristina.

They clashed first with Kosovo police after which with the worldwide peacekeepers who deployed in Zvecan.

The flare-up has triggered a flurry of worldwide efforts to calm the scenario.

The US and most European Union nations have recognised Kosovo’s independence from Serbia whereas Russia and China have sided with Belgrade.

Earlier immediately China expressed its help for Serbia’s efforts to “safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity” and Moscow has repeatedly criticised Western insurance policies within the dispute.