ZUBIN POTOK, Kosovo — A powerful explosion rocked the village of Varagë in northern Kosovo late Friday evening, damaging a vital water canal that serves as a lifeline for communities and industries across the region. The Ibër-Lepenc water canal, a critical artery supplying drinking water and cooling water for the nation’s key power plants, was left gushing uncontrollably in what officials are calling a deliberate attack on Kosovo’s infrastructure.
The blast occurred around 10 p.m. local time, sending shockwaves through the village and prompting an immediate deployment of police and emergency teams. Deputy Police Chief for the Northern Region, Veton Elshani, confirmed the incident to KosovaPress.
“Yes, an explosion was heard at the water canal. Police teams are working diligently to shed light on the circumstances,” he said.
The water flow from the damaged canal began spilling uncontrollably, raising concerns about water shortages and energy production. The Ibër-Lepenc canal plays a pivotal role in cooling the turbines of Kosovo’s main power plants, Kosova A and Kosova B, which produce the bulk of the country’s electricity.
In the aftermath, the Regional Water Supply Company “Mitrovica” announced an immediate halt to the drinking water supply, urging residents to stockpile reserves. The company issued an appeal for calm while highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) released a statement emphasising its ongoing communication with authorities and expressed hope for a swift resolution. “KEK is in constant communication with relevant actors, including Ibër-Lepenc, public enterprise monitoring units, the Ministry of Economy, law enforcement, and other involved entities,” the statement read. However, it noted the absence of concrete information about the timeline for repairs.
Local authorities, including the Mayor of Zubin Potok, Izmir Zeqiri, confirmed the evacuation of residents from a nearby house endangered by the explosion.
A Pattern of Violence
This attack on the water infrastructure comes amid a string of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including grenade attacks on the Zveçan municipality building and the local police station earlier in the week. Authorities have characterised these incidents as acts of terrorism targeting Kosovo’s sovereignty and critical infrastructure.
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have attributed these attacks to Serbian criminal groups operating with the backing of Belgrade. Both leaders condemned the incidents as deliberate attempts to destabilise the country and undermine its essential services.
Government Reactions
President Osmani called the explosion an “act of terrorism,” accusing “Serbian criminal gangs” of orchestrating the attack. In a statement on social media, she said.
“These cowardly efforts to sabotage our vital infrastructure through terrorist acts will fail. The defence of Kosovo’s constitutionality and the rule of law in every corner of the country remains paramount.”
Prime Minister Kurti, in an extraordinary midnight press conference, denounced the attack as a sophisticated and calculated effort by professional perpetrators to cripple Kosovo’s energy and water supply.
“This was a criminal and terrorist act targeting the most critical infrastructure of our country. We believe the attack was orchestrated by Serbian-backed criminal groups,” Kurti declared.
Kurti emphasised the strategic importance of the Ibër-Lepenc canal, describing it as “perhaps the most vital infrastructure Kosovo has.” He warned that without immediate repairs, parts of the country could face energy and water shortages.
International Condemnation
The attack drew swift condemnation from Kosovo’s international allies, including the United States and the European Union.
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier issued a strong statement, condemning the November 29 attack and offering full support to Kosovo’s authorities. “The United States strongly condemns the attack on critical infrastructure in Zubin Potok. We will support a comprehensive investigation and ensure those responsible are held accountable,” Hovenier said. He also called out the recent grenade attacks in Zveçan, labeling them as criminal acts against Kosovo’s legitimate institutions.
EU Ambassador Aivo Orav echoed these sentiments, offering assistance to Kosovo and calling for a thorough investigation. “This deliberate attack on critical infrastructure must not go unpunished,” Orav said.
Germany’s Ambassador Jorn Rohde and the UK’s Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves also expressed solidarity with Kosovo, urging swift action to restore services and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Local Political Reactions and Accusations
Kosovo’s opposition leaders weighed in on the incident, with sharply divided opinions about the government’s handling of security in the volatile north. Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, criticised Prime Minister Kurti’s administration for what he called a “lack of proactive policies.” In a strongly worded statement, Haradinaj called for closer cooperation with NATO-led KFOR forces and the U.S. presence in the region.
However, opposition criticism was dwarfed by the overwhelming consensus that the attacks were orchestrated by Serbian-backed groups seeking to destabilise Kosovo.
The Serbian List, the main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, condemned the explosion but framed it as detrimental to the Serbian community in the north. In a statement, they demanded immediate intervention by KFOR and EULEX to investigate the incident and protect local communities.
Escalating Tensions in the North
Friday’s explosion is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have rocked northern Kosovo, a region where ethnic Serbs form the majority. The attacks have stoked fears of a return to broader instability, following months of tension over political representation, cross-border trade issues, and Kosovo’s efforts to assert control over its northern municipalities.
Earlier this year, tensions flared when Kosovo installed Albanian-led administrations in Serb-majority areas after Belgrade-instructed boycott of the elections. The move was met with violent protests and clashes with NATO peacekeepers, resulting in injuries to dozens of soldiers.
What Lies Ahead
The attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal has amplified calls for heightened security and reinforced Kosovo’s determination to confront what officials see as an organised campaign to destabilise the nation. Prime Minister Kurti has called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council and plans to consult closely with NATO-led KFOR forces.
As police and forensic teams continue their investigation, residents in affected areas face uncertainty about water supplies and energy stability. International partners have pledged support to ensure swift repairs and accountability, but the broader implications of these escalating attacks loom large.
For now, Kosovo remains on high alert, bracing for what could be a long and uncertain road to restoring peace and stability in its troubled northern region.
Historical Roots of Conflict
Kosovo’s struggle for independence stems from the late 1990s when Serbian forces under then-President Slobodan Milosevis waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Thousands of ethnic Albanians were killed, and over 1.5 million were forcibly displaced. The atrocities drew NATO intervention in 1999, marking a turning point that halted what many feared would be genocide. In 2008, Kosovo declared independence, recognised by 117 nations, but Serbia has never acknowledged its sovereignty.
The scars of that conflict remain raw, with Serbia continuing to deny Kosovo’s statehood. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who served as Milosevic’s information minister during the 1990s, has adopted similar tactics of denial and destabilisation. The situation has worsened since Serbia formalised a foreign policy alignment agreement with Russia in September 2022, raising alarms about Moscow’s influence in the Balkans.
Recent Escalation in the North
The latest tensions began in late 2022, when Kosovo implemented a rule requiring its Serbian minority to replace Serbian-issued license plates with Kosovo ones. This move was seen as asserting sovereignty but provoked backlash from Serbia and its allies in northern Kosovo. Local Serbs, under Belgrade’s direction, boycotted municipal institutions, and Serbian-backed militia groups began targeting state infrastructure.
Violence escalated in December when Kosovo police arrested Dejan Pantic, a former officer accused of terrorism and undermining Kosovo’s constitutional order. In response, roadblocks appeared across northern Kosovo, with intelligence reports suggesting plans for a covert declaration of an autonomous Serbian republic within Kosovo, a move echoing Russia’s actions in Crimea in 2014.
International mediators pressured Kosovo to de-escalate, leading to Pantic’s release into house arrest. However, the underlying tensions persisted, culminating in clashes between Kosovo police and Serbian paramilitary factions. The latter were reportedly bolstered by sophisticated weaponry and tactics, raising suspicions of direct Serbian state involvement.
Serbia’s Kremlin Connection
The parallels between Serbia’s tactics in Kosovo and Russia’s playbook in Ukraine are striking. Both involve the use of unmarked militias, the creation of roadblocks, and attempts to redraw borders under the guise of protecting ethnic minorities. For Kosovo, these actions represent not only a threat to its sovereignty but also a broader challenge to the Western-led international order.
Western Response and Criticism
The United States and the European Union have faced mounting criticism for their handling of the crisis. While Washington and Brussels have historically supported Kosovo’s independence, recent actions suggest a shift toward appeasement of Serbia. The U.S. and EU have pressured Kosovo to form a Serbian-dominated municipal association, a move that many fear would give Belgrade de facto control over parts of northern Kosovo.
Kosovo’s leaders, including Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have expressed frustration with what they see as a double standard. “Kosovo is held to account for defending its sovereignty, while Serbia faces no consequences for its aggression,” Kurti said in a statement.
The international community’s reluctance to confront Serbia has emboldened Vucic, who has openly stated that he will not honour agreements reached in EU-mediated negotiations. Despite this, the West continues to pressure Kosovo to make concessions, undermining its position and raising questions about the credibility of Western commitments to democracy and rule of law.
Kosovo’s Defensive Measures
Amid the escalating violence, Kosovo has taken steps to assert control over its northern territories. In April 2023, following Serbian-backed boycotts of local elections, Kosovo police secured municipal buildings in the region. These actions, while criticised by some international observers as provocative, were deemed necessary to prevent further incursions by Serbian militias.
Kosovo’s intelligence services have also reported significant movements of Serbian military personnel near the border, raising fears of a direct confrontation. Serbian media has amplified these tensions, broadcasting footage of military drills and troop deployments, further stoking fears of an escalation.
International Implications
The United States and the EU must recognise the stakes. By appeasing Serbia, they risk alienating Kosovo, one of their most reliable allies in the region. This approach not only undermines Kosovo’s sovereignty but also emboldens other authoritarian actors who seek to challenge the international order.
Lessons from the Past
The current crisis is a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. In the 1990s, the international community failed to act swiftly, allowing ethnic cleansing to devastate Kosovo. It was only through NATO intervention that the violence was halted, paving the way for Kosovo’s independence.
Today, the stakes are just as high. The West must not allow Serbia to use the guise of protecting ethnic Serbs to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty. Instead, it must reaffirm its commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, ensuring that the hard-won gains of the past two decades are not undone.
As Kosovo continues to face aggression, its resilience serves as a testament to its determination to uphold its sovereignty. But it cannot stand alone. The international community must rise to the occasion, recognising that the defence of Kosovo is not just about protecting a small nation—it is about safeguarding the principles that underpin the global order.
Stay informed on European political tensions and armed conflicts with our unique magazine. Subscribe for exclusive insights into current affairs and ongoing global issues.
