Kosovo Force 2
- Duration
- 11 October 2005 - to date
- Military personnel
- 101
- Fatalities
- 1
- Decorations
- none
In the Yugoslavian constitution of 1974, Kosovo was granted the status of an autonomous province within the constituent republic of Serbia. The majority of Kosovo’s population was of Albanian extraction, with a small Serbian minority. The Serb president, Milosevic, stripped Kosovo of its autonomous status in 1989.
In the years that followed, the Albanians lost all the rights which guaranteed the preservation of their own language and culture. The nationalistic sentiment of which Milosevic took advantage and the repressive policy adopted towards the Albanian Kosovars led in the nineties to an armed struggle in Kosovo, which became so intense in 1998 that neighbouring countries were at risk of becoming embroiled.
Agreement
On 9 June 1999, Belgrade agreed to a ceasefire and the phased withdrawal from Kosovo of all its army and police units. KFOR was responsible for upholding the ceasefire and creating the conditions for the safe return of the refugees (Albanian Kosovars). This meant:
- disarming the Kosovar liberation movement (the UCK);
- maintaining law and order until UNMIK was able to take over;
- making a start on mine clearance;
- conducting border controls;
- providing support for UNMIK;
- ensuring their own freedom of movement and that of the international organisations.