Following an announcement made on Wednesday by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, Kosovo Serbs have started to remove roadblocks across the troubled northern region of Kosovo. The situation started to diffuse tensions between Belgrade and Pristina after weeks of violent protests against Prishtina's authority. In this gallery, you will see images of masked men preparing the heavy-duty trucks to be driven away. Also, general views of barricades and Kosovan and Serbian press members filming, photographing, observing and broadcasting live for their outlets. Photojournalist: Vudi Xhymshiti

Serb ethnic minority to remove barricades, Mitrovica, Kosovo Kosovo Serbs are expected to remove roadblocks across the troubled northern region of Kosovo. Wednesday's announcement by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to diffuse tensions between Belgrade and Pristina after weeks of violent protests against Prishtina authority. In this gallery, you will find images of two burned trucks at a roadblock near Rudare, or as locally known 'Kerrshi i Dudës' — NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo KFOR patrols, EU and Kosovan Police patrols in Kosovo's northern troubled region of Mitrovica shot on Thursday morning, Dec 29, 2022. Photojournalist: Vudi Xhymshiti

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have escalated since the detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic on suspicion of attacking election facilities. Pantic has been released on house arrest condition This Wednesday, Dec 28, 2022. Serb ethnic--minority have been protesting Pantic's detention by standing guard at barricades they set up at border crossings since December 11. The European Union, NATO and the US have called for de-escalation and the removal of barricades in northern Kosovo. In contrast, Serbia has requested to deploy its army and police based on a UN resolution. In this gallery, you will find images shot during the Wednesday afternoon of EU, Kosovan and KFOR security patrols in the troubled northern region of Mitrovica. Additionally, there's a group of Serb-ethnic minority men who attach barbed wires onto an electric pole and pull them using a heavy-duty tractor to stretch them nearby a roadblock near Zupce. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989 and they are responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade. Photojournalist: Vudi Xhymshiti

A roadblock using heavy-duty vehicles is seen recently erected at the Bosniaks' Quarter on Wednesday, Dec 28, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti) This is the seventeenth consecutive day since masked men in the troubled northern region of Mitrovica, Kosovo, have persistently erected roadblocks, barricading local ethnic-Serb minority who often voice their disagreement with what they claim to be "Serbs that are not native to Kosovo."

Prime Minister Press Conference, Prishtina, Kosovo Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti held a conference in Prishtina, Kosovo, on Saturday, Dec 24, 2022. Prime Minister Kurti said that KFOR is here to provide peace, safety and freedom of movement. "Ever since 11 barricades are erected in the north of Kosova, we have no freedom of movement," he said promising that they will be removed. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Protest against Hague Special Court, Prishtina, Kosovo People gathered to protest in the capital Prishtina, Kosovo on Saturday, Dec 24, 2022. This is a protest against the latest Special Court decision, following a conviction of the former KLA commander Salih Mustafa, with the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) saying that "the Hague is trying to distort history". Kosovo's former guerilla commander was found guilty on Friday of arbitrarily detaining and torturing prisoners perceived as supporters of Serbia and murdering one of them during the 1998-1999 conflict. It was the first war crimes conviction by a special court that was established in the Netherlands to investigate crimes from the conflict. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers sentenced Salih Mustafa to 26 years in prison for the crimes committed at a Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) compound in Zllash in April 1999. Mustafa was acquitted of one charge of mistreating detainees. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. All victims and witnesses are ethnic Albanians. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

A picture shows the atmosphere at the Kosovo-Serbia integrated border crossing of Merdare on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti) Following 11 days of the northern roadblocks deployed by Kosova's ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo's northern troubled region of Mitrovica, Kosovo border police and customs say that they have seen an increase in the number of lorries transporting goods, but also the number of people travelling on private vehicles has increased significantly. A lorry driver from Albania said that "if you come at the Merdare crossing after 16:00/h you might end up waiting up to six hours to cross the border" he added.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) arrives at the MFA in Prishtina as he is welcomed and accompanied by Kosovo's Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla (R) on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

KFOR, EULEX and Kosovan Police patrol at the Main Bridge of Kosova's northern troubled city of Mitrovica on Sunday, Dec 18, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti) National media reported that a group of protesters gathered on Sunday near the border crossing between Kosovo and Serbia, Jarinje, on the side of the Serbian territory, in support of the local Serbs who have erected barricades in the north of Kosovo.

Serb ethnic minority erected two other truck-made barricades in the Western part of Kosova's troubled north city of Mitrovica on Thursday, Dec 15, 2022. This is the ninth consecutive day since Kosovo Serbs, encouraged by Belgrade, kept two border crossings on lockdown in northern Kosovo. The most recent tensions between ethnic Serbs and the authorities in Kosovo have reached a dangerous level, German national broadcaster DW warns, with Serbia threatening to deploy troops. The international community is seeking a solution. Since February, there has been concern that Russia could use its close ties with Serbia to open a "second front" in the Balkans. Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti has suggested that Serbia, like Russia, also dreams of restoring a "Serbian world" in the region. For his part, Serbian President Vucic has said that Kurti is conducting himself like a "little Zelenskiyy." (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Leadership signs application for EU Membership, Prishtina, Kosovo Madam President Vjosa Osmani, Assembly speaker Glauk Konjufca and Prime Minister Albin Kurti - are gathered in a ceremony to sign the application to join the European Union on Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 This process is expected to take years, if not decades, amid tensions with neighbouring Serbia. Serb protesters in northern Kosovo have blocked main roads in recent days following an exchange of fire with police after the arrest of a former Serb police officer suspected of involvement in terrorism. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

A snowfall hit Northern Kosovo as Kosovan Police Forces continued to patrol the Main Bridge and the Bosniaks' Neighborhood of Mitrovica in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 - following the fifth day of roadblocks erected by the northern Serb minority. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

The US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, arrived at the Prime Minister's Office in Prishtina, Kosovo, on Tuesday, Dec 13, 2022. (VX photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti) Escobar came to Kosovo on Monday amid tensions in Kosovo's northern troubled region of Mitrovica. Serbs in northern Kosovo blocked main roads to protest the arrest on suspicion of terrorism of former Serb police officer Dejan Pantic, who was part of a mass resignation of Serbs from the security forces in November.

For the fourth day on Tuesday, northern Kosovo Serbs backed by Belgrade continued holding roadblocks with trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles across several main roads in northern Kosovo, leading to two border crossings with Serbia. Both crossings remain closed to traffic. The latest move appears to be in response to the arrest of a former police officer on Saturday by authorities in Prishtina. He was part of a mass resignation of Serbs from the force last month after Pristina said it would require Serbs to scrap Serbian licence plates dating to before the 1998-99 Kosovo War that led to independence. Kosovo Police on Friday said gunmen injured one officer after increasing police presence in its northern territory. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989. Serbia is responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade. Around 110 countries recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia but not Serbia, Russia, China and five European Union member states.

The first snowfall hit the capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Monday, Dec 12, 2022. People were rushing to get home through the snowfall carrying umbrellas as they passed through the heavy traffic jam. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Italian Carabinieri, members of the EULEX police, are seen from the northern side, standing by on the main bridge, which divides the northern areas dominated by the ethnic Serb minority. Kosovo Police on Friday said gunmen injured one officer after increasing police presence in its northern territory. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989. Serbia is responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade. Around 110 countries recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia but not Serbia, Russia, China and five European Union member states. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Five explosions, multiple rifle gunshots, and air raid sirens were heard in the afternoon in the northern bank of Kosovo's troubled city of Mitrovica on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti) Following the collective withdrawal of Kosovo's Serbs from local authorities in the North of the country, elections for mayors in the northern municipalities are expected to be held on December 18. The Serbian List, which led the municipalities until the collective resignation, will not participate in the elections. Around 50,000 ethnic Serbs who live in the north refuse to recognise Pristina's authority and still consider themselves a part of Serbia. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989. Serbia is responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade. Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia is recognised by around 110 countries but not by Serbia, Russia, China and five European Union member states.

With Switzerland scoring victory against Serbia, ethnic Albanians of Kosovo's southern town of Gjilan rose on wheels carrying Swiss and Albanian national Flags to celebrate the success of their compatriot Xherdan Shaqiri late Friday, Dec 2, 2022. Shaqiri is a Kosovar born in Zhegra, southern Kosovo. Switzerland is the only European side - along with France - to reach the knockout stages of all the last five major international tournaments. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989. Serbia is responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade. Photojournalist: Vudi Xhymshiti. Production assistant: Edvin Demolli.

A protest against the killing of women in Kosovo called at the last minute attracted hundreds in the capital Prishtina on Thursday, Dec 1, 2022. Members of civil society, journalists, artists and others shouted slogans and held placards calling upon authorities to take preemptive measures to stop the killing of women in Kosovo. A nearly 35 years of age pregnant woman was reportedly killed at maternity facilities in the capital Prishtina the day before, with the country's leadership voicing a condemnation and calling authorities to investigate and initiate a crackdown on women's violence. About a week ago, another 75 years of age teacher was alleged to have been killed by her husband. The violence against women is increasing in Kosovo, and activists blame "patriarchy" for accusing the police of failing to act upon their responsibilities to provide safety for all citizens. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Kosovars celebrate the 110th anniversary of Albanian Independence on Monday, Nov 28, 2022. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia eight years (in 2008) following a NATO Bombing campaign (in 1999), which aimed at halting the ethnic cleansing campaign of ethnic Albanians by the Milosevic regime. Serbian armed forces of Yugoslavia had systematically targeted ethnic Albanians following the arrival of Milosevic on top of Yugoslavia in 1989. They are responsible for the death of nearly 250,000 people across the Balkans within one decade.

18 Albanian students at an elementary school in Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje were admitted to the hospital after complaining of dizziness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The students attended a school that instructs both Albanian and Serb students. The incident occurred in the late afternoon during an Albanian shift at the school. No Serb students were affected by the mysterious illness. All of the Albanian students were later released from the hospital, but media reporting centred on the image of crying mothers speculating about their children's health amid rumours of intentional poisoning.