Two hundred British Army troops arrive in Kosovo for Nato peacekeeping mission

A two hundred-strong deployment of British soldiers has arrived in Kosovo to reinforce Nato’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) peacekeeping mission.

The deployment comes after a request by Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe following the attack on Kosovo Police on 24 September and increased tensions in the region.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment are joining a more than 400-strong British contingent already in Kosovo as part of an annual exercise.

That contingent has remained in Kosovo to support stability.

The peacekeeping force will include not only troops but also hundreds of vehicles arriving by sea freight.

Under Nato command, the forces will be available to conduct operations in accordance with KFOR’s mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment and ensure freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo.

‘Agility of the UK’s Armed Forces’

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is a leading Nato Ally. 

“Within a few days, the UK has responded to Nato’s call for reinforcements and deployed 200 additional soldiers from the First Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment for the Kosovo Force (KFOR).

“This shows the agility of the UK’s Armed Forces. As the best of the best, I know our soldiers will do the UK proud.”

Nato has been leading a peacekeeping operation in Kosovo since 1999 in accordance with its mandate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

KFOR currently consists of more than 4,500 troops contributed by 27 Nato Allies and partners.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey announced in May during a visit to the region that the UK’s contribution to the Nato Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission in Kosovo will continue until at least 2026.

https://www.forces.net/nato/two-hundred-british-army-troops-arrive-kosovo-nato-peacekeeping-mission