American KFOR Commander: In the north, the quiet but fragile situation

American Commander of Regional East Command Peter Heller has said the situation in northern Kosovo is calm, but fragile. He has condemned terrorist attacks on the Iber Lepenci channel and the Zvecan Banisksk. Reporter Venhar Isufi's chronology brings us more details.

KFOR is everywhere along the border line between Kosovo and Serbia.

The situation here, American Commander of the East Regional Command Peter Helzer, appreciates it calmly but fragile.

In an interview for IV1, Colonel Helzer, says that due to the lack of an epilogue of the issue between Kosovo and Serbia, the risk of escalation in this area is always present.

The “is an area prone to unexpected and possible escalations due to unresolved issues and a range of challenges, often exaggerated by the promotional rhetoric and dezinformation”, he says.

Throughout the border line between Kosovo and Serbia, Colonel Helzer shows that KFOR has added presence.

“NATO deployed up to 1,000 additional troops in Kosovo and we stepped up our position in northern Kosovo. This was the biggest reinforcement of our mission in a decade. Currently, KFOR's force is more than 4,700 troops, out of 33 states, including NATO allies and partners. KFOR commander has flexibility to use KFOR assets to address any threat in the most effective way”, says KFOR commander.

Heller has spoken of Tv1 and the terrorist attack on the Iber Lepenci channel, as well as the one in Zvecan Banisk.

I want to make it clear first that we have condemned the attack on Iber-Lepenc Canal in November 2024, as well as the first violence in Banjska and Zvecan in 1923. Now it is essential that all the facts be confirmed and responsible persons be brought to justice. In all cases, KFOR reacted immediately, in line with our UN mandate. We don't speculate on possible scenarios in the future: what really matters is that our soldiers are vigilant and trained to deal effectively with any security threat that might appear”, he says.

Kosovo, for several months now, has been with a government in office and an unconstitutiond assembly.

However, this, according to Helzer, is not as if something has affected the security situation.

We have not noted any immediate impact of this political issue on the security situation in Kosovo. We remain fully focused on our mission. At the same time, like everyone, we hope for a successful result for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo”, says Helzer.

Finally, Helzer stressed that co-ordinating KFOR with Kosovo Police and EULEX is essential to responding effectively to security challenges./Periscopi/