Turkish Consulate in Kosovo comes under attack

BELGRADE, Serbia

The Turkish Consulate in the city of Prizren, Kosovo was attacked with Molotov cocktails by unidentified assailants early Monday morning, according to Kosovar authorities.

Prizren Chief Prosecutor Syle Hoxha said five suspects had been taken into custody for suspected links to the attack.

The attack caused minor damage to the consulate building. No injuries were reported.

Turkey's Ambassador in Pristina Kivilcim Kilic said the attack could not harm relations between Turkey and Kosovo.

"This and similar attacks or rhetoric cannot harm relations between our two countries," she told reporters at the consulate.

"It was an incident that should not have happened. The fact that it happened in Kosovo also makes us sad. Because we are friendly countries. Our two countries' relations are perfect in every respect and there may those who want to destroy these relations. We see this as an isolated incident," she said.

The Kosovar Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack.

"This is an irresponsible barbaric assault against a democratic, multinational country like Kosovo," the ministry said in a statement.

Kosovar Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj also contacted Kilic and highlighted that ties between the two countries remain excellent and no “barbaric” act can harm them, the statement added.

The Kosovar government condemned the attack in a written statement, as did Parliament Speaker Fikrim Damka.

"I would like to express my belief that these people targeting the Turkish-Albanian [Kosovar] brotherhood will be punished immediately. Kosovo's Turkish community reiterates once again our gratitude to the Republic of Turkey with all of our Albanian, Bosniak, Roma, and Gorani brothers," said Damka.

Kosovo is a former Serbian province with nearly 1.8 million people, over 90 percent of whom are Kosovar Albanians.

It declared independence in 2008, and is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, and Turkey.

Serbia, Russia, and China are among the countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.