Kosovo closes two of four border crossings with Serbia after protests

Kosovo’s Interior Ministry blamed the closures on ‘masked extremists’ blocking traffic into Serbia.

Kosovo has closed two of its four border crossings with Serbia, the government said, after protesters on the Serbian side blocked roads and turned away passengers carrying Kosovo documents.

The closures at the Brnjak and Merdare crossings – both located in Kosovo’s northern region with a majority ethnic Serb population – came into effect overnight from Friday to Saturday.

Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said the move was due to “masked extremist groups in Serbia” selectively blocking transit for travelers.

“And all this in plain sight of the Serbian authorities,” he said.

At least two other crossings between Serbia and Kosovo remain open.