Due to increased tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, Britain and probably Germany will increase their peacekeepers in the former Serbian province. According to the Ministry of Defense, no expansion is currently planned for the Austrian armed forces, although experts say “a new level of violence has been reached.”
There are also “no requests for this”. Britain is providing strategic reserve forces “which are expected to be deployed. Using a reserve is a normal process.” According to the Ministry of Defense in Vienna, the federal army is currently represented by 275 people in the KFOR contingent. Different countries would take turns providing so-called reserve troops that could be sent to Kosovo at short notice; At the moment it is not Austria’s turn. “We have been noticing an increase in tensions on the ground for some time and are closely monitoring the situation,” the Defense Ministry continued.
Berlin wants to increase “if necessary”
Germany, on the other hand, still has a lot of room to maneuver as its mandate, which was last extended by the Bundestag in May, provides for up to 400 emergency services. According to reports, there are currently only 85 Bundeswehr soldiers in Kosovo. “There is still room for improvement without the need to change the mandate,” said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), chair of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag. “So if necessary, we will move more there.”
The new tensions were caused by the attack a week ago by a 30-man, heavily armed Serbian commando unit on Kosovo police officers in northern Kosovo. Three Serb attackers and a Kosovo police officer were killed. In addition, Belgrade recently deployed Serbian forces around Kosovo. Despite the “increase in tensions,” the attack was “a new level of violence,” Florian Bieber of the Center for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz told the Ö1 “Mittagsjournal” on Monday.
Serbia surrounded by NATO countries
To him it seems ‘obvious’ that the Serbian state must have been aware. We need to take a closer look at what the intention behind it was. There are conflicting signals, Bieber says. However, the political scientist pointed out that Serbia, with the exception of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was surrounded by NATO states. The attempt to use armed force to bring the Serb-dominated communities in northern Kosovo under their own control “with a handshake” is therefore “naive”.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
