Kosovo Military Deploys to Serbian Border, Crossings Closed
Update (2032 EST): Tensions seem to be falling as both the Serbia and Kosovo Presidents agreed to allow NATO peacekeepers to regulate the situation. The reason for initial protests was starting August 1, Serbian citizens will be issued temporary IDs to replace their Serbian passports when visiting Kosovo. Serbia has imposed similar requirements for Kosovo citizens visiting the neighboring country. In response Serbian civilians took to the streets in protest, similar to what happened last October. Prime Minister Kurti of Kosovo told media he followed the US' recommendation to delay decision on issuing the controversial documents by one month. However, he also said that these documents will be issued as long as roadblocks to border crossings from Serbia and Serbians in Kosovo persist. Serbia requires documents from Kosovo citizens entering their country, but vehemently protest reciprocity of such documents from Serbians entering Kosovo, due to not regarding Kosovo an independent nation. Serbia considers Kosovo a breakaway region as agreed in the 2013 independence documents, but also considers any additional impediment on ethnic Serbs entering Kosovo discrimination. Kosovo has historically lifted reciprocity documents due to protest by the EU accession documents.