Kosovo closes border crossings with Serbia amid protests

Kosovo has closed two of its four border crossings with Serbia following protests from demonstrators on the Serbian side. The closures at the Brnjak and Merdare crossings were implemented overnight from Friday to Saturday, as protesters blocked roads and turned away travelers with Kosovo documents. The Kosovar Interior Minister attributed the closures to 'masked extremist groups' in Serbia, who were selectively obstructing transit while Serbian authorities stood by. The protests were sparked by the closure of parallel administrations established by ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, which were intended to rival official institutions. The Serbian government, which has not recognized Kosovo's independence, funds a parallel system for health, education, and social security for ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. Demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of Kosovo police from northern regions and the return of these institutions to Serbian control. Tensions have been escalating since police in northern Kosovo raided and closed five administrative offices linked to the Belgrade government. Kosovo's Foreign Minister accused Serbia of attempting to provoke and destabilize Kosovo, highlighting the longstanding animosity that has persisted since the 1990s conflict between Serbian forces and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian secessionists. The situation has been further complicated by Kosovo's recent decision to make the euro the only legal currency, effectively banning the use of the Serbian dinar. This move has heightened tensions, as Serbia continues to encourage ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to remain loyal to Belgrade, complicating the already fragile relationship between the two nations.