Serbia declares national day of mourning after attack on police in Kosovo

By Talha Ozturk

Serbia on Tuesday decided to declare Sept. 27 a national day of mourning after a clash between police and gunmen left one officer dead and another wounded in northern Kosovo.

"At today's extraordinary session, the Government of the Republic of Serbia declared Sept. 27, 2023, as the Day of Mourning due to the tragic events in Kosovo and Metohija," said the statement.

"The Government of Serbia is asking all the media and organizers of public events to adapt their programs to the Day of Mourning to pay respect to the victims of Kosovo and Metohija."

Kosovo declared Monday a national day of mourning following a clash between police and gunmen on Sunday that left one officer dead and another injured.

The clashes erupted when a Serbs armed group blocked a bridge leading to the village of Banjska, near Mitrovica, with two trucks without license plates.

The armed gunmen opened fire on police officers who had arrived on the scene to investigate the issue. Later, a large number of security forces were dispatched to the area.

Serbia and Kosovo face many disputes as Belgrade sees its neighbor as its territory and has blocked its efforts to join international organizations and obtain recognition from other states.

The leaders of the two nations have met in European Union-facilitated talks in Brussels to normalize relations, but the parties have so far struggled to implement the agreements reached.