Kosovo-Serbia Tensions Escalate Over Governance and Sovereignty in Northern Kosovo
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have significantly escalated since 2021, particularly in northern Kosovo, a Serb-majority region. Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti has pursued a more assertive strategy to extend Pristina's authority, leading to a series of crises. These include disputes over license plates and identity documents, which have triggered barricades, violent clashes, and increased military readiness from both sides. A critical turning point occurred in November 2022 when Kosovo Serbs, including police officers, mayors, judges, and parliamentarians, collectively withdrew from Kosovo institutions in response to the suspension of a Serb police commander. This created an institutional vacuum, which Pristina filled with centrally controlled Albanian personnel. In April 2023, Kosovo held elections that were boycotted by Serbs, resulting in Albanian candidates winning in Serb-majority municipalities with extremely low turnout. The subsequent forceful installation of these mayors led to violent co... 
