CROWD AND RIOT CONTROL - EXERCISE “SILVER SABRE”

KFOR manoeuvre units planned a Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) exercise in close coordination with EULEX and KOSOVO Police.

Training and exercises are routine military activities for KFOR troops. Annually, KFOR uses these types of exercise to train and improve the capabilities of its units.

The purpose of this exercise was to enhance KFOR’s ability to maintain the readiness of troops and increase their operational flexibility. The harmonization of techniques, tactics and procedures between the Kosovo Police (KP), the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and KFOR was a fundamental objective of this exercise period. The military drill, conducted in three phases successfully incorporated all three responders namely the Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR.

The first phase focused on theoretical training, the second phase focused on Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) practice and the third and final phase focused on the exercise.

The "Silver Sabre” Exercise was based on a natural disaster scenario where a fictional "earthquake” in the Balkans has cut off communications and support to several large towns. This has sparked a series of demonstrations and civil disturbances by the population who are demanding for the rapid restoration of normal living conditions and essential services. This carefully developed exercise scenario was based on an escalating CRC situation where the KP unit, acting as 1st responder, asked for reinforcement from EULEX as 2nd responder and KFOR as 3rd responder, in order to re-establish a safe and secure environment.

The liaison, communication and relief in place of the various responders was a crucial part of the exercise and the impromptu scenarios required enhanced collaboration between all responders particularly with regard to the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP).

The "Silver Sabre” exercise was conducted by units from KFOR Tactical Reserve Manoeuvre Battalion (KTM), Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU), Multinational Battle Group - East and West (MNBG - E and MNBG - W), Joint Logistic Support Group, EULEX and KP representatives.

During the exercise the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), in its capacity as one of the Kosovo Security Organizations disposed of a UXO in accordance with its approved role and duties.