Ibar-Lepenac canal explosion explained

Conflict:	Ibar-Lepenac canal explosion
Part Of:	North Kosovo crisis
Date:	29 November 2024
Place:	Zubin Potok, Kosovo

On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in Zubin Potok, Northern Kosovo, severely damaging critical infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the Obiliq energy plant. Kosovo's government described the incident as a terrorist attack and attributed it to Serbia, framing it as part of a destabilisation strategy. In the aftermath, Kosovo authorities arrested eight individuals linked to the attack, with investigations revealing the use of explosives and connections to the local Serb organisation Civilna Zastita. International responses included condemnation and calls for a thorough investigation from Albania, the European Union, France, and Turkey, all expressing solidarity with Kosovo and urging accountability for those responsible.

Incident

On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in the Zubin Potok Municipality of Northern Kosovo, causing substantial damage to vital infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the operation of the Obiliq energy plant.^[1] The attack disrupted the water supply to two coal-fired power plants that produce the majority of the country's electricity.^[2] Kosovo's government quickly accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack, framing it as part of a broader strategy to destabilise the region.^[1] Prime Minister Albin Kurti claimed that the explosion was carried out by gangs linked to Serbia, while President Vjosa Osmani describing the act as terrorism, blaming Serbian criminal networks.^[1] Serbia denied any involvement and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused Kosovo of "hybrid" warfare against his country.^[3]

Aftermath

On 30 November, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla announced the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the explosion.^{[4] [5] [6]} The attack was classified as a "terrorist act" by Kosovo authorities, who accused neighboring Serbia of involvement.^[4] Police Commander Gazmend Hoxha stated that the arrested individuals were suspected of inciting, organising, and executing the attack.^[4] An initial investigation revealed the use of 15 to 20kg of explosives in the attack, and police raids on 10 locations resulted in the confiscation of military uniforms, rocket launchers, firearms, and ammunition.^{[4] [7]} Most of the arrested individuals were linked to the local Serb organization Civilna Zastita, which Kosovo had designated a "terrorist organization".^[4]

International responses

• President Bajram Begaj conveyed the country's support for a full investigation into the attack, underscoring the need for a "thorough investigation into this act of sabotage and terrorism".^[8] Prime Minister Edi Rama also denounced the attack, calling it a criminal act targeting critical infrastructure.^[9] He emphasised the severe impact on Kosovo's citizens and the broader normalisation process in the region.^[10] Rama urged the EU to immediately lift remaining sanctions against Kosovo and to re-engage in a new format of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, citing the failure of the existing dialogue framework to deliver meaningful results.^[9] Speaker of the Parliament Elisa Spiropali further stated that the perpetrators, instigators, and those responsible for such acts should face appropriate punishment.^[8]
• The European Union strongly condemned what it referred to as a terrorist attack and a "despicable act of sabotage" against critical infrastructure vital for Kosovo's water supply and energy system.^[11] The union expressed solidarity with Kosovo and offered support to local authorities, coordinating efforts with KFOR and EULEX to assist in the investigation, as well as calling for full cooperation with Kosovo authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.^[11] Additionally, the European Parliament issued a joint statement condemning the attack, reaffirming support for Kosovo's institutions, and emphasising the need for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.^[12]
• The French government denounced the attack and expressed solidarity with Kosovo, calling for a thorough investigation.^[13] It also acknowledged the effective coordination between KFOR and EULEX in responding to the incident.^[13]
• Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag Michael Roth condemned the attack as a "terrorist act", stating that the methods employed mirrored those typically associated with Russian terrorism.^[14] Roth called for a thorough investigation, warning that if Serbia were implicated it would mark the end of EU accession negotiations with Serbia.^[14]
• The Turkish government strongly condemned attack and affirmed its commitment to supporting Kosovo and called for a swift identification and prosecution of those responsible.^[15]

See also

• North Kosovo crisis (2022–2024)
• List of terrorist incidents in 2024

Notes and References

1. Web site: Deutsche Welle (DW) . Kosovo claims 'terrorist act' after power plant canal blast . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130110840/https://www.dw.com/en/kosovo-claims-terrorist-act-after-power-plant-canal-blast/a-70925973 . 30 November 2024 . 30 November 2024 . live.
2. Web site: . Explosion damages canal feeding Kosovo's main power plants . 1 December 2024 . https://archive.ph/gtZEW . 30 November 2024 . Pristina . 30 November 2024 . live.
3. News: Serbia rejects responsibility for a water supply explosion in Kosovo as tensions rise . The Associated Press . 1 December 2024.
4. Web site: . Kosovo police arrest eight people over canal explosion blamed on Serbia . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130085435/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/30/kosovo-pm-blames-serbia-for-explosion-at-canal-supplying-power-plants . 30 November 2024 . 30 November 2024 . live.
5. Web site: . Policia arreston 8 të dyshuar, konfiskon armatim e eksploziv pas sulmit në Ibër-Lepenc . 1 December 2024 . https://archive.ph/QIW49 . 1 December 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
6. Web site: Soos . Oliver . . Mehrere Festnahmen nach Anschlagsserie im Kosovo . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130212744/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/kosovo-explosion-festnahmen-100.html . 30 November 2024 . de . 30 November 2024 . live.
7. Web site: Deutsche Welle (DW) . Kosovë: Tetë të arrestuar - gjenden amartime dhe eksploziv . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201211522/https://www.dw.com/sq/kosov%C3%AB-tet%C3%AB-t%C3%AB-arrestuar-n%C3%AB-veri-gjendet-sasi-e-madhe-armatimi-e-eksplozivi/a-70929610 . 1 December 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
8. Web site: Shqiptarja . Hidhet në erë kanali i ujit në Zubin-Potok, reagon Tirana zyrtare e opozita: Be t'i heqë sanksionet Kosovës! Rama: Akt sabotazhi! Begaj telefonon Osmanin: Ju mbështesim në hetim . 1 December 2024 . https://archive.ph/Rk2PV . 1 December 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
9. Web site: . Shpërthimi në Zubin Potok, Rama: Kjo goditje kriminale duhet zbardhur sa më parë! Be të heqë menjëherë sanksionet ndaj Kosovës . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201143138/https://top-channel.tv/2024/11/30/shperthimi-ne-zubin-potok-rama-kjo-goditje-kriminale-duhet-zbardhur-sa-me-pare-be-te-heqe-menjehere-sanksionet-ndaj-kosovesw2/ . 1 December 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
10. Web site: . Sulmi në Kosovë, reagon Rama: Krim i rëndë, që cenon procesin e normalizimit të marrëdhënieve në rajon . 1 December 2024 . https://archive.ph/qGOSY . 1 December 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
11. Web site: European External Action Service (EEAS) . Kosovo: Statement by the High Representative on the water canal attack in Zubin Potok . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130160858/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/kosovo-statement-high-representative-water-canal-attack-zubin-potok_en . 30 November 2024 . 30 November 2024 . live.
12. Web site: European Parliament (EP) . Joint statement following the attack on Kosovo critical infrastructure . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201145058/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/de/product/product-details/20241130DPU39690 . 1 December 2024 . Brussels . 30 November 2024 . live.
13. Web site: . Kosovo - Attack on critical infrastructure (30 November 2024) . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201142124/https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/kosovo/news/article/kosovo-attack-on-critical-infrastructure-30-11-2024?xtor=RSS-1 . 1 December 2024 . 30 November 2024 . live.
14. Web site: Telegrafi . Deputeti gjerman, Roth: Nëse pas sulmit në Zubin Potok qëndron shteti serb, Be-ja duhet t'i jap fund negociatave me Serbinë . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130143259/https://telegrafi.com/deputeti-gjerman-roth-nese-pas-sulmit-ne-zubin-potok-qendron-shteti-serb-ja-duhet-ti-jap-fund-negociatave-serbine/ . 30 November 2024 . sq . 30 November 2024 . live.
15. Web site: . No: 242, 30 November 2024, Regarding the Attack on Water and Electricity Infrastructure in Northern Kosovo . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241201142646/https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-242_-kosova-nin-kuzeyinde-su-ve-elektrik-altyapisina-yonelik-saldiri-hk.en.mfa . 1 December 2024 . 30 November 2024 . live.