Wednesday, 04 December, 2024
Kosovo increased security around critical infrastructure on Saturday following an explosion at a key canal that supplies water to two major coal-fired power plants, as neighboring Serbia rejected allegations of involvement.
The blast occurred on Friday near the town of Zubin Potok in Kosovo's Serb-majority north, damaging the canal that provides water to cooling systems at two of the country’s main power plants, which supply the majority of Kosovo's electricity.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti convened a security meeting late Friday, describing the explosion as a “criminal and terrorist attack” aimed at damaging the nation’s critical infrastructure. “The attack was carried out by professionals, and we believe it was orchestrated by gangs under the direction of Serbia,” he said, although he provided no evidence to support the claim.
The Kosovo government later issued a statement, reiterating Kurti’s accusations. It said, "Initial indications suggest" that the explosion had been "orchestrated by the Serbian state, which has the capacity to carry out such a criminal and terrorist attack." The government also approved additional security measures to protect key infrastructure, including bridges, transformers, and other vital sites.
In response, Serbia condemned the attack but called the allegations “premature” and “baseless.” Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric condemned the explosion, calling it a "destructive action" that threatens regional stability. He also suggested that Kosovo's own government might be behind the attack, demanding an international investigation into the incident.
The Serb List, the main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, also condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
Images from the scene, published by local media, showed significant water leakage from the reinforced canal, which runs from northern Kosovo to the capital, Pristina, and also provides drinking water. Despite the damage, electricity supply remained stable, as authorities implemented an alternative cooling method for the plants, according to Kosovo’s Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli. Repair work was already underway.
The United States strongly condemned the attack on Kosovo’s critical infrastructure, offering its full support to Kosovo’s government in identifying and holding those responsible accountable. The EU’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, also condemned the explosion and called for a thorough investigation.
Kosovo’s tensions with Serbia have been ongoing since the 1990s, when a war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents ended. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the sabotage of the Iber-Lepenc Canal as a "serious crime" that threatens Kosovo's citizens and undermines regional stability. "This criminal act must be investigated and punished promptly, with support from international partners," he said.
Friday's explosion follows a series of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including the recent grenade attacks on a municipal building and a police station.
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Kosovo increased security around critical infrastructure on Saturday following an explosion at a key canal that supplies water to two major coal-fired power plants, as neighboring Serbia rejected allegations of involvement.
The blast occurred on Friday near the town of Zubin Potok in Kosovo's Serb-majority north, damaging the canal that provides water to cooling systems at two of the country’s main power plants, which supply the majority of Kosovo's electricity.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti convened a security meeting late Friday, describing the explosion as a “criminal and terrorist attack” aimed at damaging the nation’s critical infrastructure. “The attack was carried out by professionals, and we believe it was orchestrated by gangs under the direction of Serbia,” he said, although he provided no evidence to support the claim.
The Kosovo government later issued a statement, reiterating Kurti’s accusations. It said, "Initial indications suggest" that the explosion had been "orchestrated by the Serbian state, which has the capacity to carry out such a criminal and terrorist attack." The government also approved additional security measures to protect key infrastructure, including bridges, transformers, and other vital sites.
In response, Serbia condemned the attack but called the allegations “premature” and “baseless.” Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric condemned the explosion, calling it a "destructive action" that threatens regional stability. He also suggested that Kosovo's own government might be behind the attack, demanding an international investigation into the incident.
The Serb List, the main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, also condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
Images from the scene, published by local media, showed significant water leakage from the reinforced canal, which runs from northern Kosovo to the capital, Pristina, and also provides drinking water. Despite the damage, electricity supply remained stable, as authorities implemented an alternative cooling method for the plants, according to Kosovo’s Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli. Repair work was already underway.
The United States strongly condemned the attack on Kosovo’s critical infrastructure, offering its full support to Kosovo’s government in identifying and holding those responsible accountable. The EU’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, also condemned the explosion and called for a thorough investigation.
Kosovo’s tensions with Serbia have been ongoing since the 1990s, when a war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents ended. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the sabotage of the Iber-Lepenc Canal as a "serious crime" that threatens Kosovo's citizens and undermines regional stability. "This criminal act must be investigated and punished promptly, with support from international partners," he said.
Friday's explosion follows a series of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including the recent grenade attacks on a municipal building and a police station.
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