The Danish engagement in Kosovo (KFOR)

NATO established Kosovo Force – KFOR – in 1999

On 12 June 1999, the first NATO troops entered the war-torn Serbian province of Kosovo. In August 1999, the total number of soldiers was approximately 50,000. Today that number is reduced to approximately 4,700 soldiers — a clear sign that efforts to establish greater stability and peaceful conditions in Kosovo have been successful.

Denmark was involved from the very beginning, and since then, more than 10,000 Danish soldiers have served in NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR). NATO intervened in the conflict because the Serbian government attempted to suppress a Kosovar Albanian uprising, which resulted in over one million people being displaced. Since then, Danish soldiers have helped foster peace and stability in the area, and the mission continues to contribute to maintaining peace and security in a region once ravaged by conflict.

The Danish contribution
Initially, the Danish contingent in Kosovo consisted of 850 soldiers, but it has since been reduced to 35 personnel. Of these, 29 form a guard unit stationed at the French camp in Novo Selo, while six serve at the KFOR headquarters in Pristina.

Mandate
KFOR was established based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999. The deployment of the Danish contribution to KFOR is based on Danish parliamentary decision B 148 of 16 June 1999.