Beginning in July, protests have led to mass arrests, delayed local elections, and have been condemned by EU leadership. Tensions within Kosovo between its majority Muslim Albanian citizens and minority Eastern Orthodox Serbians date back to when Serbian regained control of Kosovo in the Balkans Wars.
Dejan Pantic was arrested on Saturday at the Jarinje border crossing towards Central Serbia and charged with organizing and taking part in an attack on the police days prior. Mass resignations were triggered by the suspension of regional police commander Nenad Djuric on November 3rd for refusing to issue warnings and fines to Serb drivers whose vehicles have Serbian-issued license plates.
Leaders on both sides of the border have called for international intervention to maintain order. Layered in the controversy of autonomous governance for ethnic Serbs in the region is the underlying proxy conflict between Russia and the U. A joint statement by U. Pristina and Belgrade negotiated for over 10 years about 50 documents which ended in 21 agreements. The four municipalities of northern Kosovo in which roadblocks and clashes with the police force are taking place have proclaimed their loyalty to Serbia and Vucic.
Resignations of ethnic Serbs from the local government demonstrate the gravity of the conflict which is drawing speculation of violent clashes if a resolution is not reached.
While NATO and UN peacekeeping missions are on the ground, Serbia has made known its willingness to defend the liberty of protestors regardless of foreign disapproval.
