US ambassador says no evidence yet on attack of key Kosovo canal

Pristina, December 11, 2024 – US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier has confirmed that no evidence has yet emerged to identify who was behind the recent explosion at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in northern Kosovo.

The blast on November 29 damaged a vital waterway, which supplies water to several cities and Kosovo’s thermal power plants. Authorities say around 20 kilograms of explosives were used in the attack, calling it the most serious assault on the country’s critical infrastructure since the 1998/99 war.

In an interview with ATV’s "Context" program on December 10, Hovenier said it was too early to assign responsibility. “We believe evidence will be found, but we don’t have it yet,” he said, adding that Kosovo authorities are leading the investigation.

The US government has offered support to Kosovo’s authorities, including assistance from American law enforcement. Hovenier noted that the investigation must be credible, swift, and fair, with those responsible held accountable.

While Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has blamed Serbia for the attack, calling it a “terrorist act” and accusing Serbia of mimicking Russia’s tactics in Ukraine, Serbia has denied involvement.

The explosion temporarily disrupted water supplies in some regions but did not affect the cooling of Kosovo’s thermal power plants.

The investigation is ongoing, and the international community is awaiting further developments.