BELGRADE, Serbia

Local Serbs' vehicles were set on fire on Thursday night in northern Kosovo, apparently over the issue of Kosovar license plates.

Police said five parked vehicles belonging to Serbs were set on fire by a person or persons unknown.

According to a statement, the vehicles used to bear license plates of neighboring Serbia but the attack came after they were re-registered to Kosovo license plates – a recent issue between the two countries.

"After the arson of two cars in the north of the country on 30.03.2023, after midnight on 31.03.2023, three more vehicles with RKS plates belonging to the victims of the Serbian community were set on fire. Police teams immediately went to the scene and intervened in the incident with authorized police units," said a police statement.

Police added that an investigation has been launched and that they will provide security for locals.

Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement last November to ease tensions over license plates for the Republic of Kosovo – a sticking point for some locals, especially ethnic Serbs living in northern Kosovo, near the border with Serbia

Officials estimate that there are around 10,000 vehicles with illegal license plates distributed by Serbia in northern Kosovo.

Most UN member states, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Türkiye, recognized Kosovo as a separate country after it declared independence from Serbia 15 years ago. Serbia, however, continues to regard it as its own territory