Kosovo: Parliament set to approve national army December 14 /update 1

Event

The Kosovo Parliament is scheduled to vote on enabling the transition of its defense force, known as the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), into a regular army on Friday, December 14. The Serbian minority living in the country, backed by Belgrade, has widely criticized this decision, declaring it illegal. Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabić has threatened Kosovo with retaliatory measures, including military intervention, should this legislation pass. Protests by the Serbian community in Kosovo are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The Kosovo Parliament approved on principle the series of law transforming the KSF into a national army on October 18. The KSF is currently a lightly armed force that deals mostly with crisis response. Despite threats by officials in Belgrade, a Serbian military intervention is highly unlikely as it seeks to join the EU in the coming years. NATO officials have also criticized Pristina's recent tariffs on Serbian goods and have indicated the creation of a standing army will have "serious repercussions" for Kosovo's future.

Serbian-Kosovar relations remain tense a decade after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence, still considering the country as under Serbian sovereignty.

Advice

Individuals in Kosovo are advised to monitor the situation and avoid demonstrations as a precaution.