The terrorist organization “Severna Brigada” is suspected of having renewed its death threats against institutional officials in Kosovo. The Kosovo Police registered the case on July 28 and is investigating it as a criminal offense of terrorism.

According to the police report, the threatening messages were distributed on social media and are suspected of having been published by the self-styled organization “Severna Brigada.” The investigation is being conducted by the relevant units of the Kosovo Police.

“Severna Brigada” and the organization “Civil Protection” were declared terrorist organizations by the Government of Kosovo on June 29, 2023, after their activities were assessed as a threat to the constitutional order and the country’s security.

The reappearance of these messages online has sparked new concerns about the presence and influence of extremist structures, as well as the challenges Kosovo’s institutions continue to face in the security sector.

One of the main questions raised is whether this is merely virtual pressure or whether the threats demonstrate that these structures still retain the capacity to influence Kosovo’s security and stability.

It also remains to be seen how effective the security institutions’ measures to date have been and whether more consolidated domestic and international cooperation is needed to prevent similar actions.

Regarding these developments, security expert Arben Dashevci and security professor and retired general Muhamet Racaj gave their assessments to the newspaper “Bota sot.”

Dashevci: “Severna Brigada” remains a threat to national security

Security expert Arben Dashevci says the latest threats do not constitute an unknown development, as “Severna Brigada” has acted before and, according to him, has posed a danger to Kosovo’s security.

He emphasizes that this organization, together with the so-called “Civil Protection” structure, has been suspected of terrorist activities and destabilizing efforts against the country.

“Yes, the terrorist organization ‘Severna Brigada’ has once again published death threats against institutional officials in Kosovo, as it has done repeatedly in the past. This organization and the so-called ‘Civil Protection’ directly endangered the national security of our country in 2023,” Dashevci told “Bota sot.”

According to the expert, the activities of these structures aim to spread fear and insecurity through threats, attacks and other forms of pressure.

“They are suspected of criminal offenses of terrorism because their goal has been to sow panic, issue threats, carry out terrorist attacks, as in the case of Banjska, and engage in blackmail and sabotage. Their publications on social media raise concerns about institutional security and the influence of such groups on the country’s stability,” he emphasizes.

Dashevci assesses that Kosovo’s institutions have shown readiness to address these cases, although the threat from extremist groups has not disappeared.

“The continuation of threats from ‘Severna Brigada’ shows that Kosovo’s institutions still face serious challenges from extremist groups, but maximum vigilance exists. Our security agencies are highly effective, and the measures taken so far to prevent such actions have been addressed with great seriousness,” he says.

According to him, these developments are part of a hybrid war directed against Kosovo.

“These threats to the security of officials and to the political climate in Kosovo are part of a fierce hybrid war. In my assessment, they are directed by Serbia. These structures are not located in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, but operate from outside and issue threats freely from their base in Serbia,” Dashevci says.

The expert calls for stronger coordination with international partners to prevent the situation from escalating.

“A coordinated response is needed between our security institutions and international partners from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, always as a preventive measure to avoid an escalation of the situation,” he concludes.

Racaj: Any threat against institutions affects the state itself

Security professor and retired general Muhamet Racaj considers it wrong to treat the return of the threats as an isolated event.

He says this development may indicate that the extremist structures that have operated in northern Kosovo have not been completely dismantled and may continue their activities through various means.

“The return of threats from the terrorist organization ‘Severna Brigada’ should not be seen as an isolated incident or merely as a virtual threat on social media. On the contrary, it is a serious indicator that the extremist structures that have operated in northern Kosovo have not been fully dismantled,” Racaj told “Bota sot.”

Racaj stresses that threats against the highest state figures and institutions go beyond the individual level, as they affect the functioning of the constitutional order.

“When the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Assembly or other state institutions become the targets of threats, then we are not dealing with threats against individuals, but against the normal functioning of the state,” he says.

According to the retired general, events in recent years have demonstrated that organized criminal and terrorist structures have existed in northern Kosovo.

“The events in Banjska, attacks against the Kosovo Police, attacks against KFOR members and organized criminal actions show that these structures possessed organization, financing and logistical support. For this reason, every new threat must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he emphasizes.

Although the security institutions have made progress, Racaj says the fight against extremism requires continued commitment.

“The Kosovo Police, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, the Special Prosecution and other security institutions have made significant progress in striking criminal and terrorist groups. However, the fact that ‘Severna Brigada’ continues to reappear shows that the fight against extremism is not over,” Racaj says.

According to him, the threatening messages aim to create psychological insecurity, influence decision-making and undermine citizens’ trust in the institutions.

“These threats directly affect the security of state officials and the political climate in the country. They aim to create psychological insecurity, exert pressure on institutional decision-making and undermine citizens’ trust in the state’s ability to guarantee security,” he says.

Racaj calls for greater coordination between domestic institutions and international partners to respond to these risks.

“The Kosovo Police, the KIA, the Special Prosecution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kosovo Security Force, KFOR and international partners must exchange information in real time, identify the sources of financing and command of these groups, and take preventive measures,” he concluded to “Bota sot.”

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