On Friday, the United States called on Belgrade to withdraw its forces from the border with Kosovo, citing an “unprecedented” Serbian military buildup that raised concerns. Serbia had deployed advanced tanks and artillery along the border following deadly clashes at a monastery in northern Kosovo last week, according to the White House.
The violence, which resulted in the death of a Kosovo police officer and three Serbian gunmen, marked one of the most serious escalations in Kosovo in years. Kosovo is a former Serbian breakaway province.
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, informed reporters, “We are monitoring a large Serbian military deployment along the border with Kosovo. That includes an unprecedented staging of advanced Serbian artillery, tanks, mechanized infantry units. We believe that this is a very destabilizing development.” He further stated, “We are calling on Serbia to withdraw those forces from the border.”
Although the military buildup occurred within the past week, the purpose behind it was not yet clear, according to Kirby. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to urge immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also expressed concern about Serbian military mobilizations in a conversation with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, emphasizing the importance of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as a long-term solution for stability in the region.
While Vucic did not directly deny the recent military buildup, he rejected claims that Serbian forces were on high alert, stating, “I have denied untruths where they talk about the highest level of combat readiness of our forces because I simply did not sign that, and it is not accurate.”
The clashes in Kosovo began when heavily armed Serb gunmen ambushed a patrol near the Serbian border, resulting in the death of a Kosovo police officer. Subsequently, several dozen assailants barricaded themselves at an Orthodox monastery, leading to a firefight in which three gunmen were killed and three were arrested.
The government of Kosovo has accused Belgrade of supporting the operation, while a member of a major Kosovo Serb political party admitted to leading the gunmen, according to his lawyer.
Kirby described the attack as “sophisticated” and expressed concern about its level of sophistication. He noted that it involved around 20 vehicles, “military-grade” weapons, equipment, and training.
The NATO peacekeeping force known as KFOR has decided to “increase its presence” following the attack, with the possibility of further adjustments to fulfill its peacekeeping mandate.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia and Russia have not recognized this status. Tensions between the ethnic Albanian majority and Serb minority in Kosovo have escalated in recent months, particularly in northern Kosovo.