NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) said there was no evidence that ambulances were smuggling weapons into North Kosovo, despite claims to the contrary made by British politician Alicia Kearns.
“There isn’t any evidence also regarding the alleged smuggling conducted across the Administrative Border Line between Kosovo and Serbia into Orthodox churches in ambulances,” KFOR said.
KFOR said Kearns was possibly referring to a 2022 case “when the Royal Fusilier Battalion was employed in the North of Kosovo in support of KFOR Mission.”
“The alleged illegal weapon presence was reported to KFOR HQ, but after further investigation in order to find confirmation of that, no evidence has emerged of what was reported,” read the press release.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he would meet representatives of NATO and KFOR and Kosovo security bodies to discuss the issue of smuggling weapons into North Kosovo.
“After the meetings, we will be able to give the final word. Currently we are gathering information. Within this week the matter will be known,” said Kurti.
Speaking to the British parliament on Tuesday, British MP Kearns said “for too long we have failed to call out the armed Serb militias operating in the north of Kosovo.”
“The government are well aware, with the Fusiliers having only just returned from serving in KFOR, that there are weapons being smuggled across the border from Serbia into Orthodox churches in ambulances,” she continued.
“When our troops become aware of that, and try to get permission to go and get them, the permissions take too long. By the time there is permission- quelle surprise- an ambulance has turned up at the church and taken all the weapons out again,” she added.
On 29 May, Serbian protesters in northern Kosovo clashed with KFOR soldiers. Some 30 soliders and 50 protesters were injured in the incident. At the same time, some 30 attacks against journalists have been recorded by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo since the beginning of the unrest in North Kosovo.
On 29 June, Kosovo declared two groups operating in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo, namely Civilna Zastita (Civil Protection) and Brigada Sever (North Brigade), as terrorist organisations. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the organisations have “recruited and trained members to use weapons and combat methods at military bases in Serbia with the purpose of carrying out attacks against local institutions and international missions in Kosovo.”
Image via Wikimedia
