Serbian protesters clashed with KFOR peacekeeping forces in northern Kosovo; more than 70 people were injured

Ethnic Serbs clash with peacekeeping forces in northern Kosovo KFOR responsible for providing security on the territory of a partially recognized state. This is reported by the AFP agency.

The demonstrators tried to blockade the administrative buildings, protesting the results of the April elections in the municipalities of Zvecan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok, which were won by pro-Albanian candidates. The majority of Serbs boycotted the vote itself, the voter turnout was less than 4%.

According to N1, the KFOR forces and the Kosovo police demanded that the demonstrators disperse, but they did not agree, as a result, the security forces used stun grenades, tear gas , batons and rubber bullets.

An AFP correspondent reported that several protesters began to throw stones and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers, but they were quickly pushed back from the Zvecan municipality building. It was also reported that the demonstrators painted the Z symbol on NATO vehicles.

After the dispersal of the protest, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic issued an address in which he accused the Kosovo authorities of trying to «quarrel Serbia and NATO.» According to Vučić, 52 residents of Kosovo turned to hospitals, three of them in serious condition.

NATO reported that about 25 peacekeepers were injured, including soldiers of the Italian and Hungarian contingents. According to the alliance, they «were subjected to unprovoked attacks and injuries with fractures and burns as a result of the explosion of incendiary devices.» Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that three Italian KFOR soldiers are in serious condition, but nothing threatens their lives.

According to Vucic, 41 peacekeepers of the alliance were injured. The Serbian President added that one of the commandos opened fire and wounded a man in the crowd. Vučić previously accused KFOR of «protecting the Kosovo police and self-proclaimed mayors from local residents.» jpg» class=»mz-publish-context-cite__image» alt=»1″ />ArticleDocuments, please. Why the situation in the north of Kosovo has escalated