Kosovo-Serbia conflict

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Kosovo-Serbia conflict

News: Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared anew this weekend after Kosovo’s police raided Serbdominated areas in the region’s north and seized local municipality buildings.

What is the issue?
 Kosovo is a mainly ethnic Albanian populated territory that was formerly a province of Serbia. It declared independence in 2008.
 Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo’s statehood and still considers it part of Serbia, even though it has no formal control there.
 Kosovo’s independence has been recognized by about 100 countries, including the United States. Russia, China and five European Union nations have sided with Serbia.

What is important from Prelims perspective?
 Countries bordering Kosovo – Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania. (Kosovo is a land-locked nation)
 Capital of Kosovo – Pristina
 Most of central Kosovo is dominated by the vast plains and fields of Metohija and the Kosovo field.
 Other important cities of Kosovo - Prizren, Peja, Gjakova, Mitrovica, Gjilani and Ferizaj.
 Countries bordering Serbia - Serbia borders Bulgaria to the east, Romania to the north-east, Hungary to the north, Croatia and BosniaHerzegovina to the west, Montenegro to the south-west and Albania and Macedonia to the south. (As per Serbian Foreign ministry website)
 Important cities in Serbia – Belgrade, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad, Nis, Subotica.