One year since the attack in Zveçan, KFOR: Soldiers put their lives in danger, NATO ready to keep the peace
KFOR has recalled the attacks on the members of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Zveçan by masked and unmasked persons, some even armed, mentioning that the Alliance “is ready to keep the peace”, reports Gazeta Express.
A year ago, peacekeepers of the NATO-led KFOR mission were attacked during violent protests in the municipality of Zveçan. 93 officers were injured, some of them with serious injuries. These attacks were unprovoked and were completely unacceptable, KFOR recalls in a statement.
Today, we honor the services and sacrifices of our fellow soldiers, who put their lives at risk to carry out their duties for all communities living in Kosovo, in accordance with the long-standing mandate of our UN mission. Their courage helped stabilize the situation in the area and prevent a further escalation of violence,” said Major General Özkan Ulutaş, KFOR commander.
NATO says that the facts must be proven and the perpetrators must be held accountable. Following the violence, KFOR recalls that NATO has deployed around 1,000 additional peacekeepers and heavier armored forces to Kosovo.
We have increased the presence of KFOR in the north of Kosovo and tripled the number of patrols, including along the administrative border line. This was the biggest reinforcement of our contingent in Kosovo in a decade; and this shows that NATO is ready to preserve the peace”, says KFOR’s statement.
“Our commitment to contribute to sustainable security throughout Kosovo and to regional stability is unwavering. KFOR continues to take all necessary actions to maintain a secure environment, in accordance with its mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, at all times and in an impartial manner. , for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo”, said Major General Ulutaş.
The Multinational Specialized Unit of KFOR, together with EULEX, on Tuesday conducted training for crisis situations in front of the object known as “Logbase” – the headquarters of the EU mission for the rule of law in Mitrovica.
KFOR announced this exercise in a short statement, recalling that the NATO peacekeeping mission is the third security responder, after the Kosovo Police and EULEX, respectively, with whom it said they work “in coordination with closely”.
