Explosions in Northern Kosovo spark harsh condemnation amid growing tensions

According to reports in Kosovar media, a powerful explosion struck the Ibër-Lepenc canal in Zubin Potok, northern Kosovo last night causing significant damage to the strategically critical infrastructure. The attack disrupted water supplies for over 700,000 people. The canal is also vital for cooling turbines at Kosovo’s key energy facilities which are the only source of domestic electricity production for Kosovo. The blast, which Kosovo authorities have labeled a terrorist act, has heightened tensions in a region already fraught with instability.

Why this is important: The incident highlights the fragile security situation in northern Kosovo, where the ethnic Serbs’ refusal to accept Kosovo’s authority, with broad and sustained support from Belgrade, remains a persistent challenge. It also highlights the broader geopolitical implications of Kosovo-Serbia relations, as each side accuses the other of undermining peace. The attack has prompted strong reactions from Kosovo’s leadership, Serbia, and international actors like NATO and the EU, emphasizing the urgent need for stability in the Western Balkans.

What happened: The explosion in Zubin Potok damaged a vital section of the Ibër-Lepenc canal, halting the water supply to multiple regions and disrupting operations at the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK). Emergency crews worked through the night to restore partial functionality, installing temporary pipes to mitigate the crisis. Kosovo’s Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, described the act as “sabotage,” warning of potential energy disruptions if repairs are delayed.

Just days earlier, two grenades were thrown into the courtyard of a police station in Zveçan, another Serb-majority municipality in northern Kosovo. These incidents follow a series of attacks in recent months, including a deadly ambush on Kosovo police in Banjska in September, further straining the region’s precarious stability.

Accusations and rebuttals: Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti directly accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack in Zubin Potok, calling it a “criminal and terrorist act.” He alleged that Serbian-backed criminal groups aim to destabilize Kosovo by targeting critical infrastructure. “These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign to undermine our sovereignty,” Kurti said.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani echoed these accusations, stating that Serbia’s actions threaten Kosovo’s constitutional order and regional peace. She vowed that Kosovo would respond decisively to safeguard its institutions and infrastructure.

Serbia, however, has denied any involvement. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Gjurić called Kosovo’s claims baseless and accused Pristina of inflaming tensions. “Such accusations are reckless and intended to divert attention from the real issues in Kosovo,” Gjurić stated. The Serbian government condemned the explosion, framing it as an attack on the local Serb community, which also relies on the canal for essential services.

Reaction of support from Albania: Albania’s leadership has expressed strong support for Kosovo following the explosion in Zubin Potok, emphasizing solidarity in the face of what they have described as a terrorist act. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the attack, calling it a “grave act of sabotage” that endangers Kosovo’s citizens and critical infrastructure. Rama also stressed that such incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation and international engagement to ensure peace in the Balkans.

In a statement posted on social media, Rama urged the European Union to take immediate action, including lifting sanctions against Kosovo and re-evaluating the dialogue format between Kosovo and Serbia. He criticized the current dialogue framework as ineffective and called for bilateral approaches to address unresolved tensions between the two countries.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj also condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on Kosovo’s sovereignty and security. In a phone call with Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, Begaj reiterated Albania’s unwavering support for Kosovo’s institutions and their efforts to counter destabilizing actions. “Such acts aim to weaken Kosovo’s stability, but they will not succeed,” Begaj stated, adding that Albania remains committed to fostering peace and collaboration in the region.

Security implications: The explosion and recent grenade attacks highlight the volatile security environment in northern Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs have consistently resisted Kosovo’s government. The region has been a flashpoint since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, with Serbia refusing to recognize its sovereignty. Local Serb leaders have described recent developments, including the construction of new police stations, as efforts to intimidate the Serb population.

Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla has confirmed that approximately 15 kilograms of explosives were used in the attack on the canal. He called it an attempt to destabilize the country, urging international actors to address Serbia’s alleged role in fostering criminal activity in the region.

In response, Kosovo police have increased their presence in the north, implementing additional checkpoints and patrols. NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping mission has also bolstered its activities, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining stability and deterring further violence.

Broader geopolitical context: The incidents in northern Kosovo come amid heightened tensions between Kosovo and Serbia over issues ranging from license plate regulations to governance in Serb-majority municipalities. Efforts to normalize relations through EU-mediated dialogue have largely stalled, with both sides accusing each other of insincerity.

The situation also reflects broader challenges in the Western Balkans, a region still grappling with the legacy of the 1990s conflicts. Analysts warn that renewed instability in Kosovo could have ripple effects across the Balkans, particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, where ethnic and political divisions remain unresolved.

The international community has taken notice. U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier condemned the explosion as an attack on Kosovo’s critical infrastructure, calling for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable. The EU has similarly urged calm, stressing the need for continued dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Reactions from Kosovo, Serbia, and international actors: Kosovo: Prime Minister Kurti and President Osmani have tried to rally domestic and international support against Serbia in the face of what they allege is Serbia’s broader strategy to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty. Kurti has called for increased cooperation with NATO and the EU to counter these threats.

Serbia: Serbian officials have rejected Kosovo’s accusations, framing them as an attempt to deflect attention from internal issues. Petar Petković, head of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis for Serbs in the region, accusing Kosovo of oppressing the Serb minority.

International: NATO’s KFOR mission has increased patrols in northern Kosovo and emphasized its role in preventing further escalation. The EU has reiterated the importance of dialogue, with special envoy Miroslav Lajčák calling for restraint on both sides.

What’s next: As tensions rise, the need for effective international mediation becomes increasingly urgent. NATO and the EU are expected to play critical roles in de-escalating the situation and facilitating dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. However, the incidents have also exposed the limits of existing mechanisms to ensure stability in the region.

Kosovo’s government faces the dual challenge of asserting sovereignty in the north while addressing the concerns of its Serb population. Failure to strike this balance could deepen divisions and provoke further unrest. Serbia, meanwhile, will likely continue its efforts to maintain influence in the north, complicating any attempts at resolution.

The incidents also raise questions about the role of international actors in the Balkans. While the U.S. and EU have expressed strong support for Kosovo, their ability to enforce meaningful change remains uncertain. With tensions in the Balkans intersecting with broader geopolitical issues, including the war in Ukraine, the region’s stability must one again come sharply into the focus of global policymakers.