The threat from Serbia should never be underestimated; Kosovo’s armament is essential. Serbia must also be warned that in any case of an attack on Kosovo, the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) will act in every corner of the country. This warning was also issued by Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla.
Although the law regarding the KSF includes a provision that the Army can operate throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo, in reality, this point is nullified by the issue of the north. This is because an agreement from 2013, reconfirmed in 2018, prohibits the KSF from operating in the northern part of the country. This is due to Hashim Thaçi, who, through a letter, committed to NATO that without coordination with KFOR, the KSF would not set foot in the north. This refers to the letter that Thaçi sent at the time to NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The consequences of Thaçi’s letter are still felt by Kosovo today. If tomorrow the KSF were to be in the north alongside NATO forces, security would be greater for the northern Albanians, and Serbia across the border would think twice before making threats. With his decisions, Thaçi had effectively given up the territory of the country with which Kosovo was declared and recognized, allowing Serbian propaganda to push for the secession of that part of the country.
However, in the event of an attack, all agreements fall apart; the KSF, with all its forces, will be there to defend the country’s territory. Although the KSF is currently a hostage to these commitments, Serbia must be clear that any harmful commitment undertaken by Hashim will not be respected when the country is in danger.
