Serbia, Kosovo: Protesters blockade roads leading to Jarinje and Merdare border crossing points with Kosovo on June 20

Event

Serbian truck drivers are protesting on roads leading to the Jarinje and Merdare border crossing points with Kosovo on June 20. Truckers on the Serbian side of the border are reportedly preventing vehicles with Kosovar number plates from entering Serbia due to ongoing tensions between ethnic Serbs and Kosovar authorities in northern Kosovo.

Although not all traffic has been interrupted, the partial border blockades will likely cause traffic disruptions and increased presence of security forces to monitor the gatherings. Protests and related disruptions may continue in the coming days.

Context

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have increased in recent weeks following political turmoil in northern Kosovo, ongoing civil unrest and related violence between the Serb minority and police in Kosovo, and the arrest of Kosovar police personnel by Serbian authorities near the border. The situation in the region will likely remain tense in the short term.

Advice

Reconfirm the status of the Kosovo-Serbia border before routing cargo shipments or other travel through it. Maintain heightened levels of vigilance in border areas. Avoid concentrations of security personnel and any protest activity.