On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in the village of Vragë, Kosovo, severely damaging critical infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the main coal-fired power station of Kosovo. The government of Kosovo attributed the attack to Serbia, framing it as part of a destabilization strategy. Both Kosovo and the European Union condemned the incident as a terrorist attack.
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 organization Civilna Zaà ¡tita (Civil Protection). 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.
On the evening of 29 November 2024, an explosive device detonated at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in the village of Vragë that belongs to the Zubin Potok of Kosovo, causing substantial damage to vital infrastructure that supplies water to multiple municipalities and supports the operation of the Obiliq energy plant. The explosion occurred in the village of Vrage and created a large crack in the canal. It disrupted the water supply to two coal-fired power plants that produce the majority of the country's electricity. As a result, electricity and water was also temporarily disrupted to some cities. The canal originates in Gazivoda Lake and supplies water to North Kosovo, Mitrovica, Pristina and its surroundings. That same week, there were separate attacks on a police station and a municipality building in ZveÃÂan where hand grenades were thrown, leading Kosovo police to increase their security.
Kosovo's government quickly accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack, framing it as part of a broader strategy to destabilise the region. Prime Minister Albin Kurti claimed that the explosion was carried out by gangs linked to Serbia, while President Vjosa Osmani described the act as terrorism, blaming Serbian criminal networks. Serbia denied any involvement and Serbian President Aleksandar VuÃÂiÃÂ accused Kosovo of "hybrid" warfare against his country. Serbian foreign minister Marko ÃÂuriÃÂ condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation, offering Serbia's assistance to repair the damaged canal.
On 30 November, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla announced the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the explosion. He also added that the damage was repaired. The attack was classified as a "terrorist act" by Kosovo authorities, who accused neighboring Serbia of involvement. Police Commander Gazmend Hoxha stated that the arrested individuals were suspected of inciting, organising, and executing the attack. An initial investigation revealed the use of 15 to 20 kg of explosives in the attack, and police raids on 10 locations resulted in the confiscation of military uniforms, rocket launchers, firearms, and ammunition. Most of the arrested individuals were linked to the local Serb organization Civilna Zaà ¡tita, which Kosovo had designated a "terrorist organization".
On December 4, President Osmani met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Brussels where she reiterated blame on Serbia, calling for accountability for its ongoing attacks through illegal structures, and international involvement in investigating the explosion. She also stated that Kosovo's institutions rely on concrete evidence, citing arrested individuals with ties to Serbia and condemned what she described as Serbia's use of the "throw a stone and hide the hand" tactic.