That is why Switzerland participates in KFOR: that is what the Swiss soldiers in Kosovo do

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Violent clashes broke out on Monday between Serb demonstrators and KFOR (Kosovo Force) soldiers. 30 soldiers were wounded – 11 from Italy, 19 from Hungary.

NATO, to which KFOR belongs, “strongly condemns the unprovoked attacks on KFOR forces in northern Kosovo,” a statement said. “Such attacks are completely unacceptable. The violence must stop immediately.” On Tuesday, KFOR announced that it will reinforce its troops in Kosovo due to the current situation.

Swiss soldiers not involved in riots

Since June 23, 1999, the Swiss army is also involved in the international peacekeeping mission together with the Swisscoy, as can be read on the website of the Swiss army. A Swisscoy spokeswoman clarified when asked by Blick: “Swisscoy is not involved in the recent events. There are no members of the Swiss army among the KFOR soldiers who have been injured in the current events in North Kosovo.”

Swiss officials are stationed in six locations across Kosovo, including in northern Kosovo. But: “The KFOR soldiers who were deployed there belong to an element responsible for crowd-breaking. Switzerland does not take on tasks that fall within this area.” According to the official website, Swisscoy mainly performs tasks related to medical care, reconnaissance, transport and defusing explosives.

Swisscoy can defend itself in an emergency

However, they are prepared for calamities, Swisscoy said when asked. During the deployment preparation, the next of kin are “intensively prepared”. This also includes training on how to deal with political or ethnic tensions, as is currently happening in northern Kosovo. “The members of Swisscoy therefore have the necessary knowledge to be able to carry out their assignments and to estimate and reduce risks even if the situation deteriorates.”

But why is Switzerland stationed in Kosovo at all, since it is not a NATO member at all? Switzerland participates in KFOR as part of UN resolution 1244, which states that the United Nations – to which Switzerland belongs – is committed to “finding a solution to the grave humanitarian situation in Kosovo”. In June 2020, parliament approved a further extension of the mandate until the end of 2023 and increased the maximum number of military personnel to 195.

Source: Blick