13 minutes agoKFOR after the attack on Banjska: We've added 1,000 troops and heavier equipment.
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) mission in Kosovo, KFOR has confirmed that it has increased the number of soldiers around 1,000 and has been reinforced with the worst machinery, following the terrorist attack on Banjska on 24 September. In an answer to TIME, KFOR has said it does not speculate about the possibility of another attack [...]
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) mission in Kosovo, KFOR has confirmed that it has increased the number of soldiers around 1,000 and has been reinforced with the worst machinery, following the terrorist attack on Banjska on 24 September.
In a response to TIME, KFOR has said it does not speculate about the possibility of any other possible attack in the north, following alarm made by state leaders in recent weeks.
We will not speculate about any future scenarios. We are in close contact with institutions in Kosovo and with Kosovo security organisations, as well as with other parties, including the EU's mission for the Rule of Law (EULEX), Chief of Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, the OSCE and the UN”, said at KFOR's response.
It has also been said to have tripled patrols along the Kosovo-Serbia border. KFOR has said it remains focused on implementing its mandate to provide security in Kosovo.
After increasing tensions in recent months, NATO has deployed 1,000 additional troops and heavier equipment. We have quadrupled KFOR's presence in northern Kosovo and tripled the number of patrols, including along the administrative border line. These are prudent steps to ensure that KFOR's mission has the resources needed to handle any scenario and to continue implementing its UN mandate”, it is further said in response.
KFOR has said it has close co-operation with the Kosovo Police and EULEX to prevent possible escalation and that they are willing to respond to any challenge.
According to KFOR, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Kosovo last month has been a clear message that tensions should be reduced and that there is restraint from actions leading to escalation of the situation.
In late September, armed Serbs were killed in an attack organised by police officer Africa Bunnjak. In the subsequent action, three attackers were killed by police, while most of the group managed to escape.
Since then, Kosovo leaders have been constantly alarmed for increased military presence from Serbia along the border with Kosovo.
