In what cases KFOR will be able to intervene in northern Kosovo

The KFOR Regional Command in the East has increased its presence near the Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points, and say they are willing to intervene if necessary. Any KFOR intervention according to security experts does not exclude the Kosovo Police, but it is partnership and security storage assistance.

The American flag and Kosovo police station in one place. It was the meeting last September that preceded the removal of barricades in the northern part of the country. A few days before this moment arrived, American soldiers were the first to land. Within KFOR, mission of NATO in Kosovo, there are currently about 7,000 soldiers, most of them Americans.

With the return of tensions, even their readiness for each event has increased, which has been confirmed in a response by KFOR to RTV Dukagjin.

“To increase our awareness of the situation, KFOR Regional Command in the East has increased its presence in the vicinity of the JARIJAJ and BRNJAK crossing points, has established several traffic control points and increased patrols in the area along with the MSU of Carabinieri and EULEX. These measures are designed to enable KFOR to react quickly to any security challenge. KFOR urges all to avoid unilateral acts and refrain from violence. KFOR is willing to intervene if necessary to preserve a safe environment and freedom of movement, according to its UN mandate”, KFOR's response is said.

After Kosovo's independence, except for assistance to the Kosovo Police, few have been cases when KFOR has been the only force for preserving general security.

Although primary duty is to preserve integrity and sovereignty, security connoisseurs say KFOR has a mandate for internal intervention. This, according to Avni Islam, occurs in cases where police and security mechanisms cannot manage the situation.

“In specific cases when Kosovo security forces are unable or out of control to maintain and order public calm then at the request of Kosovo's security bodies, KFOR is called in aid so as to assist and help maintain public order and tranquillity within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo”, he says.

Statements that the Kosovo Police for the northern part need KFOR permission, Islam calls them false.

The last few days along with KFOR, even the special unit near the border points in Jarinje and Brnjak has increased the presence.

They have even assisted in completing the work of the new border police station in Brnjak.

In addition to American soldiers, who are about 630, more than 1500 are from Italy, Hungary, Turkey and Austria, while their commander is Hungarian Major General Ferenc Kayari, KFOR in Kosovo was deployed immediately after the Kumanovo agreement. This document has never been publicly seen but Resolution 1244 has.

Just the mandate of NATO-led KFOR is based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244, with missions providing secure environment and freedom of movement for all citizens in Kosovo.