Serbia places army on full combat alert, calls on NATO to end violence against local Serbs in Kosovo

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia on Friday ordered its army to advance to the administrative border with Kosovo and called on NATO to urgently stop violence against local Serbs in Kosovo.

President Aleksandar Vucic ordered army and security forces for combat readiness after tension mounted in Kosovo as local Serbs in Zvecan clashed with police outside of administration building.

The move came after the Kosovo police clashed with local Serbs who gathered in front of the municipal administration building to prevent a newly-elected ethnic Albanian mayor from entering his office.

A large number of police in riot gear are deployed around the building along with the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and Kosovo Forces personnel.

According to local media, shock bombs and tear gas injured at least 10 people after a police vehicle was set on fire and automatic weapons fire was heard.

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said Vucic ordered the military to raise its readiness level just before a rally by the ruling party in central Belgrade.

The rally was expected to be the biggest one in the history of Serbia.

Vucevic said military will absolutely follow Vucic’s orders and defend the sovereignty of Serbia and the right to life of all of its citizens.

"It’s clear that terror is being waged against the Serb community in Kosovo," said Vucevic.