Serbian media outlets, based on various developments taking place in Kosovo, especially in the north, are re-circulating their narrative of “attack on Serbs”. Recent developments in northern Kosovo regarding the implementation of reciprocity measures for documentation, as a result of misinformation, have tended to escalate the situation. Misinformation from media outlets, mainly with content in the Serbian language, played a major role in this, from which there were attempts to misinform about cases of attacks on Serbs by members of the Kosovo Police, played a major role. This narrative of some Serbian media outlets continues day after day, warning of the violent implementation of reciprocity and attacks on Serbs in the north.
The disinformation narrative "an attack on Serbs is being prepared" was created based on three specific developments, through which some Serbian media outlets re-introduced it time after time.
The first moment was the period before the events of July 31, the deadline set by the Kosovo Government to implement the reciprocity measure. On that date, one day before August 1, the planned date for implementing this measure, a lot of misinformation was spread regarding the developments that took place in northern Kosovo, accompanied by the barricading of the roads leading to the border crossings of Jarina and Brnjak.
On July 5, the head of the office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, Petar Petkovic, said at a press conference that Pristina wants to push Serbs into war and added that we are sliding towards a serious crisis.because at the end of September, beginning of October, Kurti is warning of a major attack on the Serbs". "Srbijiadanas.rs", through an article published on July 14, claims without facts that Kurti is planning an attack on Serbs to justify spending, specifically on holidays in Greece..
The first warning about the spread of disinformation was issued by Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, sharing on his Twitter account (July 30) a news item prepared by the Serbian media outlet “b92.net” based on statements by the Serbian Foreign Minister, Nikola Selakovic, entitled “Albanians are preparing hell for Kosovo and Metohija". But Selakovic does not base this warning on any data or fact and does not explain what he means by the term "hell". Consequently, his entire allusion is not related to any event, although he hints that he is basing it on the decision of Government of Kosovo, of June 29, on the reciprocal measure with Serbia in terms of vehicle license plates and identity cards. (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
However, the decision of the Government of Kosovo to postpone the implementation of the reciprocity decision, in cooperation with the international factor, caused the situation to ease.
But the use of the narrative "preparation of an attack on Serbs by Albanians" was also used after the events of July 31.
Following recent developments in the north, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was interviewed by foreign media outlets such as: La Republica, Radio Free Europe (REL) and Reuters.
Kurti in the interview given to the newspaper "La Republica" assessed that there is a high risk of a new conflict between Kosovo and SerbiaWhile in the interview with "Reuters", he spoke pabout any possible attack from Serbia as, according to him, unrest with the Serbian minority could result in armed conflictPrime Minister Kurti, in an interview given to Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL), stated that the situation in the north could escalate into armed conflict.because of the fear injected by Belgrade and because of the plans made in Raška and Belgrade".
The first reaction to Kurti's statements was made by the head of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, Petar Petkovic, who through a statement published on August 11 on his Twitter account, interpreted the statements of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, as preparations and a call for war, which was interpreted by the Serbian media as "Kurti prepares weapons for war".
In the same vein were the statements of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, who linked Kurti's statements in these recent interviews with international media, with preparations for an attack and the liquidation of Serbs. Vučić builds his claims by linking them with Albin Kurti's interviews given to international media (La Repubblica, Radio Free Europe and Reuters), and interpreting them as a campaign against Serbia, and that not Serbia but Kosovo is doing planned an attack to liquidate Serbs. (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
The disinformation narrative that "yes"an attack on the Serbs is being prepared"in Kosovo by Serbian media is also related to the statements of the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, the Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla, and developments within the Kosovo Police.
The Serbian-language information portal “Srbijadanas.com” on August 10, in an article, claims that Albanians are preparing for an attack, interpreting a statement by the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, but without presenting details and supporting facts. Minister Mehaj in his Facebook post states that: “We will prepare and strengthen the Army of the Republic of Kosovo every day, it is ready to defend every corner of the territory of the Republic." (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
The allegation that the Kosovo Police is arming itself to attack Serbs was raised in an article published on August 15 in the Serbian media outlet "Alo.rs" where The interpretation of the Kosovo State Treasury report on the increase in spending on the purchase of weapons and other equipment by the Kosovo Ministry of Interior is being made.The Serbian media outlet claims that stun grenades, tear gas bombs with a prolonged effect, and other types of weapons used to disperse the gathered crowd, as well as micro-cameras to observe the north, have also been purchased, which are not are highlighted in the state treasury report. Also, within the article it is claimed that Minister Sveçla has ordered the commanders of units in the north to patrol and advertise the new weapons, an unfounded claim, considering his statements posted by Sveçla on his Facebook account. (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
The claim that the Kosovo Police is preparing to attack Serbs is based on the content of an article by the media outlet "Srbijadanas.com" published on August 15, which states that the Kosovo Police has set up observation posts and that they will install sniper positions to attack the Serbs and raises the unfounded concern that on September 1st, the Albanians are preparing the ground every day for the violent implementation of this mase. The claims of the Serbian media that the Kosovo Police have set up observation posts and that they will install sniper positions to attack Serbs are unfounded in concrete facts. Even the claim that on September 1st the reciprocity measure will be implemented violently and that anyone who does not accept such a thing will be attacked by the Kosovo Police is tendentious and unfounded. (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
Articles published on August 16 in the Serbian media outlet "Novosti.rs" claim that it is being a preparation for a violent implementation of the reciprocity measures on September 1st, interpreting them as an armed attack on Serbs. The media outlet also claims that the Kosovo Police is conducting heavy weapons exercises in that area, unfounded claims that are classified as “conspiracy theories.” (see here fact checking by hybrid.info)
The developments before and after July 31st preceded the re-emergence of the Serbian media's disinformation narrative of "attack on Serbs". Albin Kurti's statements to foreign media were a necessary ingredient for the Serbian disinformation narrative to be re-established in the Serbian media. Also, the recent news about the arming of the Kosovo Police influenced the Serbian media to interpret it as a concrete preparation for an armed attack on Serbs in the north.
(Analysis by Festim Rizanaj)