Clashes erupt between Serb protesters and NATO peacekeepers outside municipal building in Kosovo

Heavy clashes erupted between Serb protesters and NATO peacekeepers outside a municipal building in Zvecan, northern Kosovo on Monday.

NATO-led KFOR troops could be seen using tear gas, shock bombs, and rubber bullets to disperse Serbian demonstrators, who in turn, were seen throwing stones toward KFOR troops.

According to local sources, at least 53 people were injured in the clashes. KFOR reported that around 25 members of its multinational contingent were injured during the clashes.

In recent days, local Serbs in the towns of Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok have been protesting against the new Albanian mayors, elected on April 23, amid a historically low voter turnout during an election, which was largely boycotted by Serbs.

Earlier on Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed put the army on the highest level of combat alert, ordering its units to move closer to the border with Kosovo.

Tensions in the north of Kosovo further increased last Friday when the mayors of those three municipalities reportedly entered the municipal buildings, removing the Serbian flag and replacing it with a flag of the Republic of Kosovo.

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