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Kosova

NATO considers permanent reinforcements in Kosovo nearly 25 years after the landings

Politiko 2023-12-03 20:44:46

NATO considers permanent reinforcements in Kosovo nearly 25 years after the

In 1999, he intervened to end the war in Kosovo. For 78 days in a row, NATO bombed the targets of the then Serbian army. After its withdrawal from Kosovo, in June of '99, NATO has landed with its peacekeeping mission KFOR, consisting of more than 50,000 soldiers.

"We will create a military presence, which will guarantee a safe environment for the return of all refugees and for all those who are homeless within Kosovo itself... We will deal directly and decisively with anyone who tries to hinder the achievement of this", said the NATO commander for Kosovo, Michael Jackson, at that time.

Since then, KFOR has been reduced to just over 3,700 soldiers last year. Today it counts over 4,600. The troops have been increased this year, due to the increase in tensions in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs.

The alliance has sent hundreds of additional forces after the riots caused by the installation of Albanian mayors in four municipalities in the north - in which dozens of KFOR soldiers were injured - as well as after the incident in Banjska, where armed groups of Serbs attacked the police of Kosovo, killing a policeman.

The event of September 24 in Banjska has been described as the worst since Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 and has fueled international concern about stability in the country. Kosovo has blamed the Serbian state apparatus for the attack, while Serbia has blamed the Serbs in Kosovo. Milan Radoicic, who has taken responsibility, continues to be free in Belgrade.

 

 

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