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Kosovo Liberation Army

Chaos in Kosovo: NATO Peacekeepers Face Diverse KLA Views

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As NATO peacekeeping troops deploy thousands of peacekeepers in the decimated Yugoslav province, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is establishing its headquarters and taking over police stations and government buildings. The KLA, comprised of 15,000 to 20,000 fighters, has diverse views on what a just peace should be, and NATO fears that some of these views could include exacting bloody revenge against Serbs or provoking situations that would put peacekeepers in danger. Despite KLA leaders' commitment to demilitarize and lay down their guns, U.S. officials fear that KLA commanders do not control every rebel unit.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 40,000 Serb police and military stationed in Kosovo have pulled out to the north, leaving a power vacuum that the KLA has rushed in to fill.
  • NATO has no clear mandate on how to deal with the KLA, and its peacekeepers are struggling to secure some of the most hostile territories in Kosovo's central regions.
  • Despite promises to disarm, KLA fighters have refused to surrender their weapons, and some units have clashed with NATO troops, including an incident in which U.S. Marines used armored personnel carriers to forcibly disarm about 200 KLA fighters.
  • KLA leaders have stated that they will not bother Serb civilians, but will take custody of sons of Serbia who committed war crimes until NATO can take them to The Hague.
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported that 33,000 Serb civilians have fled the province, where they made up about 10 percent of the prewar population.
  • In Pristina, British paratroopers have confiscated five Kalashnikov rifles, 15 grenades, and several hundred rounds of ammunition from KLA fighters since their arrival.

Statistics:

  • 33,000 Serb civilians reported to have fled Kosovo since the declaration of peace. (Source: The International Committee of the Red Cross)
  • 40,000 Serb police and military stationed in Kosovo who have pulled out to the north.
  • 15,000 to 20,000 KLA fighters, estimated to comprise assorted commanders, clans and divided factions.
  • 5 Kalashnikov rifles confiscated by British paratroopers since their arrival in Pristina.
  • 15 grenades and several hundred rounds of ammunition confiscated by British paratroopers since their arrival in Pristina.
  • 6 KLA leaders arrested for displaying a show of force near the hilltop villa in Pristina.
  • 100-man British paratrooper battalion patrolling the streets of Pristina on foot and in vehicles.

Sources:

  • The International Committee of the Red Cross
  • U.S. Marines
  • British Lt. Gen. Mike Jackson, commander of the NATO peacekeeping force
  • British Maj. Julian Davis, commander of the paratroopers' C Company, First Battalion
  • KLA commander Xhabir Zharku
  • Scott Canon, contributor to the article.

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