Kosovan police have shut down Post of Serbia facilities in the north of the country, which is populated mainly by Serbs, sparking a new crisis between Belgrade and Pristina. 

The police operation to close the Post of Serbia facilities was executed following "the receipt of information" that the facilities were operating without a licence, a police official said on August 5. However, it drew an angry response from the Serbian govenment, with one official claiming the action was intended to provoke clashes in the volatile region. 

In a coordinated action by the Kosovo authorities, members of the Kosovo police entered all nine facilities of Post of Serbia in the Kosovo’s north, which is populated mainly by Serbs. The deputy commander of the North police region, Veton Elshani, informed KoSSev that the entries were based on a request from the Regulatory Body for Electronic and Postal Communications (ARKEP).

The operation is ongoing at three more locations, while the other six have been sealed.

"We entered these nine locations, and so far we have closed six facilities. Since we have seen that they do not have licences, all nine facilities will likely be closed. So far, the operation has proceeded without any problems."

Elshani did not specify what exactly was taken from the premises in the paper bags that the police removed, but it is presumed that documents of the Republic of Serbia are involved.

He also could not confirm whether any money was seized.

Less than three months ago, a similar action by Kosovo authorities resulted in the closure of all Serbian financial institutions in the north.

Petar Petkovic, director of the Serbian Office for Kosovo and Metohija, said that the Kosovo police, in a “coordinated and illegal operation, unilaterally and in violation of all agreements, invaded and occupied the premises of the Post of Serbia” in Leposavic, Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvecan, and Zubin Potok, Tanjug reported.

Petkovic claimed the action was a direct provocation by Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti. He said that Kurti is deliberately instigating conflict and seeking to provoke clashes on the ground. 

"This is a new crisis orchestrated by Albin Kurti, who aims to expel all Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. By denying them their basic human rights, intimidating them, and systematically preventing them from living under normal conditions, Kurti is trying to drive the Serbian population out of the region," Petkovic said.

His comments were echoed by the acting director of Post of Serbia, Zoran Andelkovic, who claimed the Kosovan authorities have launched a "new unprecedented terror against the Serbian people, individuals and business entities that are of interest to the life of the Serbian people in Kosovo". Andelkovic also listed the earlier cancellation of dinar transactions and actions taken against Bank Postanska stedionica in the region.