Savkovic: Base near Podujevo in a strategic location, Belgrade will need to monitor the situation

Senior advisor of the ISAK Fund, Marko Savkovic, stated that the KSF base Dumosh near Podujevo is situated in a strategic location, which is why Belgrade will need to closely monitor the situation. The analyst also believes that the base will be used for reconnaissance and potential drone operations.

"I assume the intention is, above all, to establish an effective unit under Pristina’s control that can be used both for launching drones and, in the future, for other operations that the Kosovo Army or KSF forces might undertake. It is in a strategic location, close to the administrative line. Therefore, there is a possibility for reconnaissance, and for action in a different situation. For those who support Prime Minister Kurti's policies, this is another indicator of the strengthening of their armed forces," Savkovic said for Kosovo Online.

He is confident that the authorities in Belgrade will closely monitor the situation.

"Certainly, for Belgrade, the state of Serbia must keep a close watch on how this situation develops. Relations have long been strained; they more closely resemble a conflict-like relationship," Savkovic emphasized.

He added that the decision to take control of the Dumosh airfield aligns with the authorities in Pristina's decision to strengthen security forces.

Although he believes that the presence of KFOR, or NATO, serves as a guarantee that a direct conflict is unlikely due to the lack of "real balance of power," he warns that no scenario leading in that direction should be entirely ruled out.

"I don’t think there’s a real balance of power there, but as long as KFOR, or the NATO mission, is present, I rule out the possibility of direct conflict. However, we must be aware that in the past few years, there has been a continuous escalation, violence, armed incidents, and troop deployments. Therefore, no scenario should be excluded, though I hope and firmly believe—on behalf of the people living in that area—that such an outcome will not occur," Savkovic concluded.