Deadly Standoff at Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Kosovo Sparks Accusations

A deadly standoff between ethnic Serb gunmen and Kosovan police at a Serbian Orthodox monastery in Banjska village, northern Kosovo, has led to accusations between Kosovo and Serbia. The incident resulted in one policeman and three gunmen being killed, marking one of the deadliest escalations in Kosovo in years.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it. Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti blamed “Serbia-sponsored criminals” for the incursion, while Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic accused Kurti of months of “provocations” and suggested his desire to drag Serbia into a war with NATO.