Who is hindering the KSF range in Mitrovica?

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, has criticised warnings of forming, as he put it, the KSF's database in Crnusha, South Mitrovica.

Claiming that “this is neither the first nor the last of the Albanian side to show that it is what it can do to”, Vuci said it believes peace and stability will be maintained in Kosovo.

“If there is any danger or more serious threat to the Serbian people... I don't need to continue. The Serbs from Metohija's Kosova” know, Vuciq said on Thursday, as he visited works on a highway in Serbia.

The immediate has been the reaction of South Mitrovica Mayor Agim Bahtiri, whose municipality on March 26th (2021), divided about 200 hectares for the construction of the polygaon on the Crnouse Hill, said this range does not violate anyone's security.“KSF military base to be built on Crnouse Hill is not provocation to anyone, nor will it violate the security of Kosovo Serb residents, who defend and defend Kosovo's state with its mechanisms like all residents of our Republic.”He said Bahtiri.

Bahtiri said he cannot interfere with the internal affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, and especially in Mitrovica's municipal affairs.

NATO officials have said in a written response that “NATO supports the development of the Kosovo Security Force in its current mandate, that of a civil defence force” respectively.

“We continue to be fully committed to security in Kosovo and for stability in the region. KFOR continues its daily activities to ensure a safe environment and ensure free movement for all communities in Kosovo”, reported in NATO's response to Radio Free Europe.

KFOR is further said to have regular contacts with Serbia and international organisations in Kosovo, in particular with the European Union.

“Pristina and Belgrade should ensure that there are no tensions in the region and refrain from statements or actions that could lead to escalation and focus on reform progress and dialogue”, it says in this response.

At the Ministry of Defence, they have not provided comments on the reaction of Serbia's president.

Plator Avdiu from the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (QKSS) tells Radio Free Europe that the KSF's range in Crnusha means greater security for all Mitrovica residents.

This will also affect increased security for the citizens of Mitrovica itself, but also all northern Kosovo municipalities, but also the best perception of the Kosovo Security Force by minority communities in Kosovo”, says Avdiu.

The 191 - acre [191 ha] polygon

As far as the theoretical side is concerned, the soldiers, NCOs and KSF officers have enough room to learn, but now how many years has lacked room on the field for exercise.

Former KSF Commander Kadri Kastrati tells Radio Free Europe that the Kosovo Army needs a large space to take exercise to build various camps.

I expect that even other municipalities, but the Government of Kosovo, will share larger spaces, because the military needs to train with even stronger and larger weapons that it will have under its 10-year development programme, and they are for cannons, mines, anti-bly, anti-aircraft weapons”, says Kastrati.

So far the KSF has conducted major exercises in neighboring states.

Kosovo Defence Ministry Information Office chief Ibrahim Shala told Radio Free Europe that this range is very important for KSF.

“KSF used this space many years ago. The innovation is that it has now been passed over to KSF and the KSF will continue to exercise its activities in this polygon”, Shala says.

Plator Avdiu says increasing the number of KSF members also increases logistical and operational needs.

The KSF's largest military barracks is mentioned. Of course, it will probably not happen immediately because it takes time and has financial costs”, Avdiu says.

In 2018, the Assembly of Kosovo has adopted legal changes to transform the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force into armed forces.

Under the legislation, the process of transformation in the Kosovo Army is envisioned to last ten years.

Currently, the KSF has 2,747 active soldiers, meanwhile, the goal is to have 5 thousand active soldiers and a 3 thousand reserve force.