Soldiers from Vermont Part of De-escalation Efforts in Kosovo

Photo By Sgt. Gloria Kamencik | KFOR welcomes a de-escalation in Kosovo. Starting October 02, 2021 and for the next two weeks, KFOR will maintain a temporary robust and agile presence in several locations along the Administrative Boundary Line, in accordance with the mentioned arrangement and in line with its mandate – derived from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities living in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gloria Kamencik)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

10.02.2021

Story by Capt. Mikel Arcovitch 

KFOR Regional Command East

In September, Kosovo instituted a new rule that forced drivers coming from Serbia to buy temporary plates when entering Kosovo. This was a reciprocal action based on a 2008 mandate that drivers from Kosovo entering Serbia must purchase temporary Serbian license plates. It was in the same year that Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent country.

In response, ethnic Serbians in Kosovo blocked the administrative boundary line (ABL) at Gate 1 in Jarinje and Dog 31 in Brnjak with various obstacles including dump trucks filled with stone, logs, other vehicles, and debris. With additional protesting eminent, Kosovo Police and European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) were sent to the ABL to address the situation.

Escalation continued with increased Serbian military presence near the ABL, and intense ongoing negotiations between Kosovar and Serbian leadership. After days of negotiations, an agreement to de-escalate was reached. Soldiers from Task Force Ransom, Regional Command – East would replace the Kosovo police units on the ground at Gate 1 and Dog 31. The Soldiers from TF Ransom that were tasked with this mission came from Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, and the United States.

Our mission in Kosovo is to ensure freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo, and a safe and secure environment. The mission set fit right into the skillset and training that these Soldiers accomplish on a routine basis.

Once on the ground, effective planning and execution led to quick de-escalation. Obstacles were removed, and traffic began moving regularly. Throughout the first day, communication with protestors, local municipal leadership, and Kosovo Police were critical in the success of the mission.
The Task Force maintained a presence at both locations to ensure freedom of movement, and a safe and secure environment. Negotiations, escalation, and the mission itself received international media coverage, and Soldiers from Regional Command – East and the Vermont National Guard conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism throughout planning and execution.

The month of September also saw Regional Command – East continue training and meetings across communities in Kosovo. Next month we’ll take a look at our Liaison Monitoring Teams (LMTs) and the critical mission they have here in Kosovo.

Put the Vermonters Ahead!

Maj. Zachariah Fike, commander, Task Force Ransom, contributed to this piece

• Date Taken: 10.02.2021
• Date Posted: 10.16.2021 05:26
• Story ID: 407400
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ