The NATO military alliance has announced plans to reduce the number of troops in its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, citing improved security conditions in the region.
The Kosovo Force (KFOR), which currently consists of around 4,600 personnel, has been deployed since the end of the 1998–1999 Kosovo War between ethnic Albanian insurgents and Serbian forces.
Security conditions allow “optimisation”
NATO officials said the current situation allows for a gradual adjustment of the mission’s size and posture.
“The current conditions provide the opportunity to further optimise the size and posture of KFOR,” said U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The alliance added that planned reductions will take place gradually and remain reversible depending on developments on the ground.
US pressure and European concerns
The announcement comes amid reports that Washington is pushing to scale back its military footprint in Europe.
Diplomatic sources said the United States had signalled interest in reducing its contribution to KFOR, which currently includes around 600 American troops.
NATO did not provide details on which national contingents may be affected.
Background to KFOR deployment
NATO deployed additional forces to KFOR in 2023 following a spike in violence, bringing an extra 1,000 troops to the mission.
That reinforcement has since been halted after tensions eased.
While northern Kosovo remains a sensitive area due to its ethnic Serbian majority, the last major incident occurred in September 2023, when a Kosovo police officer was killed during an exchange of fire with Serbian militants.
The latest adjustment reflects what NATO describes as a stabilising security environment, though officials stress that the situation remains under review.
Source: CNA
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