On Monday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for accountability for the perpetrators of last month’s attack on the Ibër-Lepenc water channel in northern Kosovo.
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| Mark Rutte at the NATO summit, November, 2024 |
The explosion on November 29 at the water channel in Varragë, Zubin Potok, was caused by approximately 20 kilograms of explosives, according to Kosovo authorities. The attack disrupted water supplies to several cities and a key thermal power plant, marking one of the most severe assaults on Kosovo's critical infrastructure since the 1998-1999 war.
Kosovo authorities are currently investigating the explosion and have accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack. Serbia, however, has denied the accusations and stated that it is conducting its own investigation.
Rutte emphasized the need to uncover the facts behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice. He also praised the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) for its swift deployment to protect Kosovo's key infrastructure.
"We remain committed to ensuring that KFOR fulfills its UN mandate," Rutte said.
KFOR, comprising around 4,700 troops, is the third line of security in Kosovo after the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).
Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, noted that no evidence has yet identified the perpetrators of the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc water channel but expressed confidence that evidence would eventually be uncovered.
"The U.S. government is not in a position to state who is responsible," Hovenier reiterated, while urging a thorough and transparent investigation.
The attack has heightened tensions in the region, already strained by unresolved political and ethnic disputes. NATO and international actors continue to monitor the situation closely, reaffirming their commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans.