A still unexplained detonation damaged a vital canal this Friday, November 29, for Kosovo, which blames its Serbian neighbor, in an already tense context between the two countries.
Kosovo is plunged into a double crisis this Saturday, November 30, following an explosion on the infrastructure of a canal. In addition to serious fears for the supply of water and electricity in the country, there are strong tensions with Serbia, a neighbor and long-time antagonist, which Pristina accuses of having fomented this “attack”, which Belgrade denies. Libé takes stock.
The attack
An explosion left a gaping hole in one of the concrete walls of the Ibar-Lepenac canal near the town of Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo on Friday. The structure supplies drinking water to hundreds of thousands of residents in this area – predominantly Serb – and part of the capital, Pristina. This water is also essential for cooling two thermal power plants, the shutdown of which would plunge the entire country into darkness.
“About a quarter” Water supply was assured on Saturday morning, announced Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti, visiting the scene of the explosion.
The police investigation
According to the head of the Kosovar government, the police “carried out searches and arrests” et “collected testimonies and evidence. Criminals and terrorists will have to face justice and the law. he said. “The attack was carried out by professionals. We believe it comes gangs led by Serbia»he added.
In a first press release after a Security Council meeting in the night, the Kosovar government had already affirmed that “early indications suggest” that this explosion was “orchestrated by the Serbian state, which has the capabilities to carry out such a criminal and terrorist attack.”
In this context, the Security Council has “approved additional measures to enhance security around essential facilities and services, such as bridges, transformers, antennas, lakes, canals, etc.”.
The surroundings of the canal have been protected since Friday evening by Kfor, the NATO force in Kosovo, the organization said in a press release.
The Serbian reaction
Serbia, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, this Saturday morning rejected any responsibility for the explosion and condemned “with the greatest firmness” cet “unacceptable act of sabotage”.
Serbia “unequivocally denies any involvement” and denounces “unfounded accusations”, “irresponsible” et “worrisome”, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said later in a statement and a video posted on Instagram. These “Unfounded allegations aim to tarnish Serbia’s reputation and undermine efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” he said.
On the social network «régime» kosovar could be “potentially involved” in the attack.
The «destruction» of the canal was also denounced “with the greatest firmness” by the main political party of the Kosovo Serbs, the Serbian List, close to Belgrade. “This act goes absolutely against the interests of the Serbian people and we demand from Kfor and Eulex [la mission européenne de police et de justice] to carry out an emergency investigation”, the party said in a statement.
Historical tensions between Kosovo and Serbia
Calls for calm have multiplied since Friday evening, from the European Union, France, the United States and even Turkey. While condemning a “act of sabotage”the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, also urged the EU to give new impetus to discussions between Kosovo and Serbia, which never accepted the independence of its former province proclaimed in 2008. “It is time for dialogue to be treated within the framework of bilateral relations between the EU and Kosovo or Serbia, both of which are independent states”he pleaded.
Relations between Belgrade and Pristina have never calmed down since the end of the war in 1999. They have experienced regular increases in tensions, particularly in northern Kosovo where a large Serb community lives.
Friday’s attack follows a series of incidents in the north, including grenades thrown at a municipal building and a police station earlier this week. It also comes as legislative elections are due to be held on February 9 in Kosovo.
