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From the outside, the Kosovo Force (KFOR) headquarters in Pristina looks like a high-security prison. To get over the barbed wire barriers, you have to go through two guards and a security checkpoint. Only then does the true character of the largest base of NATO task forces in the youngest Balkan state become clear: “Camp Film City” is a city in the Kosovo capital: cafes, barbershops and electronics stores exude the flair of a completely normal everyday street. If it weren’t for all the men and women in military uniform…
We are greeted in Swiss German. Press and information officer Xhetare Rexhaj (31) of the 48th Swisscoy contingent is from Schaffhausen. She accompanies SonntagsBlick to the quarters of the Swiss task forces. The atmosphere is relaxed, members of the army drink their morning coffee on the terrace of the famous Swiss house. “An important retreat to catch your breath,” says Rexhaj.
Controversial Statistics
The Swisscoy forces really need a breather in the current situation. The atmosphere is more tense than at any time since Kosovo’s declaration of independence 15 years ago. In the north of the country, the peaceful coexistence of the two ethnic groups came to an end in April. Serbian voters and politicians are boycotting elections in four Serbian-majority cities. The Albanian-born candidates were used despite a turnout of only 3.5 percent.
Kosovo police used force to secure the inauguration of the new mayor – and the situation escalated: according to media reports, 31 KFOR soldiers from Hungary and Italy were wounded on 29 May. Serb demonstrators and members of the Kosovo police were also injured. The Swisscoy soldiers were unharmed. Whenever there is a riot, they retreat, leaving the field to the contingents of other nations.
On May 29, militant Serbs protested in the north of the country against the appointment of new mayors. When KFOR soldiers guarding the municipal office in Zvecan tried to disperse the protest, which turned violent, 31 soldiers were injured.
On May 29, militant Serbs protested in the north of the country against the appointment of new mayors. When KFOR soldiers guarding the municipal office in Zvecan tried to disperse the protest, which turned violent, 31 soldiers were injured.
A KFOR soldier who met SonntagsBlick at the airport spoke of more than 90 wounded soldiers. Many are angry with politicians whom they blame for the escalation – they have exposed the security forces to an avoidable danger. Independently of the Kfor man, a UN employee later called the same numbers.
The Swiss help with an escalation
Some of the Swiss who worked for Swisscoy witnessed the aftermath of the riots up close. Rexhaj leads SonntagsBlick to the Medical Center, which Switzerland shares with Austria. It is managed by Steffi Beeler (38) from the canton of Schwyz. She remembers the day when some KFOR soldiers from the northern city of Zvecan were flown to the headquarters for emergency medical treatment. The Swiss contingent took the injured from the helicopters to the Kfor emergency center and assisted in the treatment.
Swisscoy received high praise from many quarters for this support. But Beeler also says: “Treating the wounded comrades was close to the heart of many of us. It was horrible.” A few individual and group discussions later, those involved have largely processed what they experienced. Beeler: “Now we really know what it means to be deployed in an area of tension.”
“People want normalcy”
As a soldier in Camp Film City, you can quickly lose contact with the outside world: mingling with people in your spare time is a no-go for KFOR soldiers.
Among the few who leave KFOR headquarters almost daily is Christoph Lisibach (25) from Winterthur ZH. He works for the liaison and monitoring team, goes on patrol in the surrounding villages around Pristina and meets many people – from the boss of a big company to the simple farmer.
Lisibach has nothing but good things to say about his experiences with the locals: “Almost everyone we meet is happy to be here. The Serbs can look at us with their necks.” He and his team feel little of the conflict in the north: “It is quiet here and there. Above all, people here want normality.”
Will this be increased soon?
However, Kosovo is far from normal, at least for now. Prime Minister Albin Kurti (48) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (53) traveled to Brussels last week for talks with the EU. However, the two heads of state declined to meet directly. A de-escalation seems unlikely at this point.
An imminent end to the international presence in Kosovo is also not in sight. Raoul Barca (41), Colonel of the General Staff, also sees it that way when he, as contingent commander, receives the vision in his office on Sunday. On the wall hangs a portrait of Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61). Barca sees proof of the value of the Swisscoy mission in the decision of the Swiss parliament, which extended the Swiss army’s KFOR mission until 2026 almost two weeks ago: “This shows that our work in Kosovo is appreciated.”
195 members of the military are currently deployed to the Swisscoy. However, Parliament agreed to increase the number by 30 soldiers if necessary. Barca’s dry remark: “Due to the current situation, we would have meaningful tasks for 30 more people.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
