STABILIZATION OF KOSOVO THROUGH THE DISPOSAL OF THE UNEXPLODED REMNANTS OF WAR

There are still more than 130 confirmed hazardous areas.

27th of April 2015. KFOR units, in close cooperation with Kosovo Security Forces destroyed 60 artillery ammunitions in vicinity of Orahovac. The main goal of this operation was to improve safety and security in Kosovo and to test the level of cooperation and professional trust between KSF and KFOR Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators.

This is the third combined open demolition operation executed in 2015 by KFOR, KSF and Kosovo Police teams. From the 1st January more than 240 pieces of weapons and other Explosive Remnants of War have been disposed of, and 80 pieces of land for more than 10 thousand square meters have been cleared in Kosovo.

During 2014 KSF and KFOR EOD teams intervened in more than 360 locations where the local population suspected the presence of mines. More than 1050 components of mines and other ERW have been destroyed. Depending on their status, they have been disposed on site or collected and transferred to demolition sites as it happened last week. This activity permitted the release of 36 hectares of land for civilian use.

Kosovo Security Forces units have been trained in Explosive Ordnance Disposal by KFOR EOD Teams. Since they reached Full Operational Capability, in 2013, they are autonomous but still operate under the advisory of NATO through the NATO Liaison and Advisory Team.