U.S. Strongly Condemns Attack on Kosovo Police

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

The U.S. has strongly condemned the "coordinated violent attacks on the Kosovo Police" near the Banjska Monastery and urged the governments of Kosovo and Serbia "to refrain from any actions or rhetoric which could further inflame tensions" and work on deescalation, reads a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken released by the U.S. State Department on Sept. 25.

The statement expresses condolences to the family of the Kosovo police officers killed "in the line of duty," and states that the perpetrators "must be held accountable via a transparent investigative process."  

The statement further calls on the governments of Kosovo and Serbia "to immediately work in coordination with international partners to de-escalate the situation, ensure security and rule of law, and return to the EU-facilitated Dialogue."

"The Kosovo Police have full responsibility for enforcing the rule of law in the Republic of Kosovo. The United States recognizes and respects the Kosovo Police’s role as first responder in emergency and crisis situations," the statement reads.