Turkish consulate in Kosovo comes under attack

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – The Turkish consulate in Prizren city in 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 had caused minor damage to the consulate’s building. No injuries were reported.

The Kosovar Foreign Ministry later condemned the attack.

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

Kosovar Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj also contacted Turkey's Ambassador to Kosovo Kivilcim Kilic and highlighted that ties between the two countries remain excellent and no “barbaric” act could affect it, the statement added.

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

It declared independence on Feb. 17, 2008, and is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Turkey.

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