Kosovo Force
The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Its operations are gradually reducing until Kosovo's Security Force, established in 2009, becomes self-sufficient.
| Kosovo Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 11 June 1999 |
| Type | Command |
| Role | NATO peacekeeping |
| Size | 4,443 military personnel |
| Part of | NATO |
| Nickname(s) | "KFOR" |
| Engagements | Yugoslav Wars |
| Website | jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Major general Özkan Ulutaş, Turkish Armed Forces |
| Deputy Commander | Brigade-general József Szpisják, Hungarian Ground Forces |
| Chief of Staff | BG John Bozicevic, US Army |
| Command Sergeant Major | Primo luogotenente q.s. Marcello Carlo Pagliara, Italian Army |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
KFOR entered Kosovo on 11 June 1999, one day after the United Nations Security Council adopted the UNSC Resolution 1244. At the time, Kosovo was facing a grave humanitarian crisis, with military forces from Yugoslavia in action against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in daily engagements. Nearly one million people had fled Kosovo as refugees by that time, and many permanently did not return.
KFOR is gradually transferring responsibilities to the Kosovo Police and other local authorities. Currently, 27 states contribute to the KFOR, with a combined strength of approximately 3,800 military personnel.
The mission was initially called Operation Joint Guardian. In 2004, the codename for the mission was changed to Operation Joint Enterprise.