Kosovo closes two border crossings with Serbia: Tensions escalating

Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla announced that the Merdare and Bernjak border crossings with Serbia have been closed due to road blockade protests on the other side.

Sveçla released a statement on his social media account, noting that a family traveling to Germany was unable to continue their journey and had to turn back due to the road blockades on the Serbian side of the Bernjak Border Crossing.

Sveçla stated that the border crossing at Merdare was also closed following the actions of 'masked Serbian extremists who are selectively stopping citizens with a fascist approach' while they attempt to transit through Serbia.

In his statement, Sveçla said, 'These fascist acts, where Serbs are allowed to pass regardless of their documents, while Albanians are prevented from passing regardless of their documents, are absolutely unacceptable to us,' and noted that the border crossing at Bernjak will remain closed until traffic becomes stable, unhindered, and safe for all passengers.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz also shared a post on her social media account, calling on the US, Turkey, Germany, France, and NATO to take urgent action to prevent Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic from further escalating the tension.

Road blockade protests were initiated at border crossings with Kosovo in Serbia last night, and the crowds gathered at the border crossings announced that they would not leave the area until their demands were met.

The group, which carries a 9-point list, is demanding that the Kosovo Police withdraw from the north of Kosovo, that control be handed over to NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR), and that the five "Serbian-owned municipal buildings" that were closed be reopened for service.