Protesters, Peacekeepers, Injured as Violence Erupts in North Kosovo

At least 50 protesters and more than a dozen NATO peacekeepers from KFOR were injured on Monday in Kosovo's northern town of Zvecan/Zvecane in clashes which erupted in the afternoon.

Kosovo Police confirmed that five protesters have been arrested for the attacks against KFOR peacekeepers while many military, police and media outlet's vehicles have been damaged during a tense day which started in the early morning hours, as local Serbs gathered in front of municipal building to protest against the newly elected mayor of Zvecan.

ItalianForeign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that members of the Italian military contingent were among those injured.

"I want to express my solidarity with the soldiers of the KFOR mission who were injured in Kosovo during the clashes between Serbian demonstrators and the Kosovar Police. Among them 11 Italians, three of whom are in a serious condition, but not life threatening. The Italian military continue to commit themselves to peace," Tajani tweeted.

KFOR said that around 25 from the multinational contingent were wounded during the containment of the demonstrators.

KFOR peacekeepers lie injured after a scuffle with ethnic Serbs in front of the building of the municipality in Zvecan, Kosovo, 29 May 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

"While countering the most active fringes of the crowd, several soldiers of the Italian and Hungarian KFOR contingent were the subject of unprovoked attacks and sustained trauma wounds with fractures and burns due to the explosion of incendiary devices," KFOR said.

"Promptly treated by KFOR medical units, they are currently under observation by medical personnel who are assessing their condition," it added.

The Commander of the KFOR Mission, Division...