3 minutes agoKFOR denies that it negotiated to attract attackers to Banjska: Got it.
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)KFOR has dismissed claims in an International Crisis Group report that the peacekeeping mission NATO negotiated the withdrawal of a part of the group of armed Serb attackers in Banjska on 24 September last year, where Kosovo Police Sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed. Through a statement, KFOR says [...]
Through a statement, KFOR says this claim is incorrect.
“The International Crisis Group recently published a report titled “Northern Kosovo: The statement of sovereignty among the divided loyalty”. In his confession to the violence that took place in Banjska in September 2023, the report says: “Fearing a bloodbath, KFOR negotiated the withdrawal of the group [Serbian fighters] in the surrounding forests, of which they melted”. This is incorrect. At no moment was KFOR involved in the alleged negotiations”, the statement said.
The KFOT says it was co-ordinated with the Kosovo Police and the EU's mission to Rule of Law (EULEX) to restore security in that area after it was called to reinforce its presence there.
The “Dunga that took place in Banjska came after an attack on KFOR peacekeepers in May 2023, which resulted in the wounding of 93 KFOR personnel members, some of whom suffered serious injuries”, the statement said.
KFOR recalls NATO's request for the authors' justice of that attack.
“NATO has always maintained that the facts must be proved and the authors must face justice. After the violence, NATO has deployed about 1,000 additional peacekeepers and the worst armoured forces in Kosovo. This has been the largest reinforcement of our contingent in Kosovo in a decade; and this shows that NATO is willing to maintain peace”, the statement said.
In the end, KFOR repeats, as usual, that it continues to implement its mandate based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to ensure a secure environment for all people living in Kosovo and freedom of movement at any time and impartially.
