NATO Secretary General calls November attack on Kosovo canal a threat to regional stability

The NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, called for those responsible for the attack on the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in northern Kosovo last month to be brought to justice, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

“The attack on the water canal in northern Kosovo, on November 29, highlights how fragile stability is in the Western Balkans,” Rutte said during a press conference with Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Millojko Spajić, in Brussels, as reported by REL.

The November 29 explosion at the water canal in Varragë, Zubin Potok – which supplies water to several cities and the country’s thermal power plants – was caused by about 20 kilograms of explosives, according to Kosovo authorities, who described it as the most severe attack on the country’s critical infrastructure since the 1998/99 war. Kosovo authorities are investigating the explosion, for which they accuse Serbia.

Serbia has denied the accusations and stated that it is also investigating the attack.

Rutte said that “it is now essential to establish the facts” surrounding the attack and the possible perpetrators. He emphasized that he wanted to thank the KFOR commander for the “swift deployment” of troops to protect Kosovo’s critical infrastructure.

“We remain committed to ensuring that KFOR fulfills its UN mandate,” Rutte stressed.

KFOR – which has around 4,700 soldiers – is the third security responsibility in Kosovo, after the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission, EULEX.

Meanwhile, an explosion occurred on November 29 in the northern part of the country, damaging the Ibar-Lepenac water canal. Authorities in Kosovo have described the attack as terrorist and criminal, originating from gangs orchestrated by Serbia. The US and the Quint group have condemned the attack.