KFOR HANDS CAMP CABRA LAND BACK TO LOCAL LANDOWNERS OUTSIDE ZUBIN POTOK

Pristina, Kosovo. U.S. Army and Swiss Soldiers assigned to NATO’s Kosovo Force peace support mission held a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 21, in Zupce, Kosovo, to mark the changeover of land from KFOR back to its local owners.

The site had been known as Camp Cabra, a KFOR facility used since 2011 as a staging base for small elements of KFOR Soldiers. Due to an improved security situation in the area, Camp Cabra is no longer needed by KFOR, and the personnel have been re-stationed to other existing KFOR facilities in northern Kosovo.

During the ceremony, KFOR Soldiers from Switzerland and the United States thanked local landowners and leaders, and presented them with certificates of appreciation before formally ending KFOR’s use of the site.

KFOR is a NATO force comprised of more than 30 nations, with soldiers dedicated to ensuring safety, security and freedom of movement in Kosovo. When requested, KFOR works with and supports the Kosovo Police and European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo in order to accomplish its mission.

KFOR’s local Swiss Liaison Monitoring Teams would continue to work with the community in the future. In addition, it was made clear that the release of Camp Cabra must be seen in the context of the review of KFOR posture throughout Kosovo, to enhance its overall effectiveness. To be more specific, the return of the land to the original owners shouldn’t be considered as a sign of the NATO disengagement from the area. On the contrary, this move will allow for the unfixing of a considerable amount of soldiers, previously involved in static tasks inside the camp. Therefore more personnel will be made available for mobile activities, such as motorized patrol, consequently increasing the presence and surveillance in the region and contributing to improve the overall security situation.

Before the changeover could happen, a two-month land restoration project took place that involved U.S. and Swiss KFOR Soldiers working together to restore and improve the site.