NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, announced that Turkey’s army has deployed nearly 350 troops to this mission.

“They will replace the Italian units” in the Reserve Operational Forces, KFOR said.

The 350 soldiers, who are from the 65th infantry brigade, will carry out a series of activities “together with KFOR troops and will be involved in the response to any significant security developments”.

KFOR reiterated that it is capable of preventing any possible escalating danger “and facing any security scenario” according to the mandate that originates from Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council.

NATO has increased its presence in Kosovo during 2023, after the increase in tensions in the north inhabited by a Serbian majority.

Currently, KFOR has over 4,400 military troops in Kosovo.

KFOR is the third security responder in Kosovo, after the Kosovo Police which is the first and after the European Union mission for the rule of law, EULEX.

The NATO mission is responsible for the security of Kosovo’s borders with Serbia, while the Kosovo Police is responsible for the rest of the border line.