Ibar-Lepenac attack

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Ibar-Lepenac attack
North Kosovo blank map.png
The terrorist attack site 2024
Date29 November 2024
Location
Zubin Potok, Kosovo

On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in Zubin Potok, Northern Kosovo, severely damaging critical infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the Obiliq energy plant. Kosovo's government attributed the terrorist attack to Serbia, framing it as part of a destabilisation strategy. In the aftermath, Kosovo authorities arrested eight individuals linked to the attack, with investigations revealing the use of explosives and connections to the local Serb organisation Civilna Zastita. International responses included condemnation and calls for a thorough investigation from Albania, the European Union, France, and Turkey, all expressing solidarity with Kosovo and urging accountability for those responsible.

Contents

Background

On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in the Zubin Potok Municipality of Northern Kosovo, causing substantial damage to vital infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the operation of the Obiliq energy plant. [1] The terrorist attack disrupted the water supply to two coal-fired power plants that produce the majority of the country's electricity. [2] Kosovo's government quickly accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack, framing it as part of a broader strategy to destabilise the region. [1] Prime Minister Albin Kurti claimed that the explosion was carried out by gangs linked to Serbia, while President Vjosa Osmani described the act as terrorism, blaming Serbian criminal networks. [1]

Aftermath

On 30 November, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla announced the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the explosion. [3] [4] [5] The attack was classified as a "terrorist act" by Kosovo authorities, who accused neighboring Serbia of involvement. [3] Police Commander Gazmend Hoxha stated that the arrested individuals were suspected of inciting, organising, and executing the attack. [3] An initial investigation revealed the use of 15 to 20kg of explosives in the attack, and police raids on 10 locations resulted in the confiscation of military uniforms, rocket launchers, firearms, and ammunition. [3] [6] Most of the arrested individuals were linked to the local Serb organization Civilna Zastita, which Kosovo had designated a "terrorist organization". [3]

International responses

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Kosovo claims 'terrorist act' after power plant canal blast". Deutsche Welle (DW). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Explosion damages canal feeding Kosovo's main power plants". Pristina: Reuters. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kosovo police arrest eight people over canal explosion blamed on Serbia". Al Jazeera. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  4. ↑ "Policia arreston 8 të dyshuar, konfiskon armatim e eksploziv pas sulmit në Ibër-Lepenc" (in Albanian). Radio Evropa e Lirë. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Soos, Oliver (30 November 2024). "Mehrere Festnahmen nach Anschlagsserie im Kosovo" (in German). Tagesschau. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "Kosovë: Tetë të arrestuar - gjenden amartime dhe eksploziv" (in Albanian). Deutsche Welle (DW). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Hidhet në erë kanali i ujit në Zubin-Potok, reagon Tirana zyrtare e opozita: Be t'i heqë sanksionet Kosovës! Rama: Akt sabotazhi! Begaj telefonon Osmanin: Ju mbështesim në hetim". Shqiptarja (in Albanian). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Shpërthimi në Zubin Potok, Rama: Kjo goditje kriminale duhet zbardhur sa më parë! Be të heqë menjëherë sanksionet ndaj Kosovës" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Sulmi në Kosovë, reagon Rama: Krim i rëndë, që cenon procesin e normalizimit të marrëdhënieve në rajon" (in Albanian). A2 CNN. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 "Kosovo: Statement by the High Representative on the water canal attack in Zubin Potok". European External Action Service (EEAS). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "Joint statement following the attack on Kosovo critical infrastructure". Brussels: European Parliament (EP). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Kosovo - Attack on critical infrastructure (30 November 2024)". Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Deputeti gjerman, Roth: Nëse pas sulmit në Zubin Potok qëndron shteti serb, Be-ja duhet t'i jap fund negociatave me Serbinë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "No: 242, 30 November 2024, Regarding the Attack on Water and Electricity Infrastructure in Northern Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. 30 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
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