Citizens of North Mitrovica: Pristina's announcement of building 200 houses in the north is a new form of pressure on Serbs

According to announcements from Pristina authorities, 200 houses are planned to be built in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, where Serbs make up more than 95% of the population. These houses are intended for Albanians, as well as Bosniaks and Turks, as announced by Minister Krasniqi. On the other hand, citizens of North Mitrovica emphasize that this is actually just another form of pressure on Serbs.

One citizen from Leposavic, whom the Kosovo Online team met on the promenade in North Mitrovica, said that people used to socialize with each other, but that it was no longer the case today.

"Anything can happen. Everything is normal. I have known this city for 50 years. It was a nice place to live, and people socialized. However, this is no longer our city. It is not the same," he said.

Although the competition and conditions for obtaining these houses have not yet been made public, the government has specified that the houses are intended for Albanians, Bosniaks, Roma, Ashkali, Turks, and Egyptians, with no invitation extended to Serbs in this decision.

An elderly woman mentioned that she is aware of the government's plan in Pristina, explaining that construction has already begun in her neighborhood, which makes her fear for her and her children's safety.

"It is difficult, how it will turn out, who knows. Up there, they are building houses on Anka Spajic Hill. They stand on the road and won't move. Anything can happen, we are afraid. We can't let the children out on the street," she said.

Another local resident emphasizes that she lives as a tenant in her old age because her house was demolished.

"I don't care, let it be whatever it will be. I'm 90 years old, I live privately, our apartments were demolished. They don't give us anything," she said bitterly.

An older gentleman stated that this decision was not good for Serbs and emphasized that "what he intends to do, he will do."

"For us, it is negative. Where will the people go? From where? Where will we go? Will it succeed? It will, because whatever he intends, he will do. This is a form of pressure on Serbs. I look at that bridge down there... let's see what will happen," he said.