Tension has increased: NATO sends additional troops to Kosovo
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that they approved the provision of additional forces to the Kosovo Peace Force (KFOR).
Stoltenberg made a written statement on the general situation in Kosovo and stated that NATO’s decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, discussed the situation in Kosovo today. Underlining KFOR’s presence in Kosovo, Stoltenberg said: “We will carry out all necessary activities to ensure a safe environment and the continuation of freedom of movement for people living in Kosovo. “We will do it impartially and with the authority we receive from the UN,” he said.
Recalling that they have increased the KFOR presence since May, when tensions increased in the country, Stoltenberg noted that the North Atlantic Council yesterday authorized the provision of additional forces against the current situation. “We will continue to ensure that our commander has the resources and flexibility necessary to exercise KFOR authority,” Stoltenberg said. “We are willing to make adjustments to the KFOR deployment if necessary,” he said.
Reiterating his call to the parties in Kosovo to reduce tensions, Stoltenberg emphasized that Belgrade and Pristina should carry out the EU-facilitated dialogue process to resolve their issues.
THERE WAS A CONFLICT
The tension, which had lasted for months in northern Kosovo, escalated again on the morning of September 24, when armed Serbs blocking the road opened fire in Banjska, where Serbs mostly live, causing the death of a police officer. .
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that a heavily armed group of approximately 30 people, whom he described as “a professional criminal/terrorist structure”, attacked the Kosovo police and held Serbia responsible for the incident.
The armed group, which took refuge in and around the Banjska monastery, was surrounded by Kosovo police and clashes continued in the region throughout the day.
Kosovo Interior Minister
Serbian President Aleksandr Vucic confirmed that the incident that led to the death of a Kosovo police officer was committed by Kosovo Serbs. (AA)