Germany to send 150 soldiers to Kosovo

Germany will send about 150 soldiers to Kosovo in April next year, a German Defence Ministry spokesman has said on Friday.

Days ago, the German newspaper Spiegel reported that German authorities are considering making such a decision to reinforce the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR.

KFOR currently has about 4,500 troops in Kosovo from 27 NATO states and partner states.

On Friday, KFOR Commander Angelo Michele Ristuccia has warned additional reinforcements of KFOR troops.

On October 1st, Great Britain has confirmed it will send 400 additional soldiers to Kosovo.

Riztuccia has mentioned that the reinforcements will also be from Romania and <x0 other Allied seats”.

He has said the incidents of recent months, mainly in northern Kosovo, show that the situation remains unstable and could quickly become tense.

KFOR commander has mentioned that only a political solution can ensure lasting peace in the Balkan region, and has reiterated KFOR's support for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in order to normalise relations.

The situation has escalated following attacks on Kosovo Police in Zvecan Banjska on 24 September.

As a result of the attacks, police sergeant Africa Bulnjak has been killed.

Three Serb attackers have also been killed in exchange for the fire.

Kosovo has blamed Serbia for the attack, but the latter has rejected that claim.