Current Tensions In Kosovo Could Escalate Into Armed Conflict - Serbian Defense Minister

Tensions in Kosovo are at their peak and could escalate into armed clashes, with Serbia continuing to send its troops toward the Kosovo border to respond to possible provocations, Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Serbian National Security Council condemned the NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, for standing idly by as the Kosovo police used force to install ethnic Albanian mayors in Serb-majority northern provinces. Later in the day, Vucevic said that the Serbian army was deploying its units near Kosovo in anticipation of provocations.

"The situation is peaceful only in appearance. There are currently no incidents. Tensions are at peak, the indicator of tensions is in the red zone, particularly among the Serbs who are directly under terrorist threat of the regime of (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti," Vucevic told Serbian broadcaster tv Prva.

The current escalation could turn into a direct conflict at any moment, the minister believes.

"Of course, Serbia could be dragged into a conflict and would be portrayed as an aggressor," he said, adding that "We should be extremely cautious, ... the troops are tasked with taking up positions by 3 p.m. tomorrow (13:00 GMT)."