A year from the attack on Zvecan, KFOR: Soldiers put their lives at risk, NATO Willing to Maintain Peace

KFOR has recalled attacks on members of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Zvecan by masked, some even armed persons, citing that the Alliance “is willing to maintain peace”.

A year ago, peacekeepers from the NATO-led KFOR mission were attacked during violent protests in the municipality of Zvecan. The 93 effective were injured, some with serious injuries. These attacks were unprotested and were totally unacceptable, KFOR recalls in a statement.

Today, we honor the services and sacrifices of our fellow fighters who put their lives at risk to carry out their duties for all communities living in Kosovo, in accordance with our mission's long mandate at the UN. Their courage helped stabilise the situation in the area and prevent a further escalation of violence”, said Major General ãozkan Ulitaş, commander of KFOR.

NATO says the facts must be confirmed and the authors must be held accountable. After the violence, KFOR recalls that NATO has deployed about 1,000 additional peacekeepers and the most heavily armoured forces in Kosovo.

“We have increased KFOR's presence in northern Kosovo and have tripled the number of patrols, including along the administrative border line. This has been the biggest reinforcement of our contingent in Kosovo in a decade; and this shows that NATO is willing to maintain peace”, KFOR's statement said.

Our commitment to contributing to lasting security throughout Kosovo and regional stability is steadfast. KFOR continues to take all necessary actions to preserve a safe environment, in line with its mandate according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, at any time and impartially, for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo”, said General Ulutaş.