NATO Boosts Forces in Balkans Amid Rising Tensions and Secession Talks
NATO has decided to bolster its reserve forces as part of the KFOR mission in Kosovo and EUFOR Altea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, as reported by Bosnian media on Saturday.
General Cavoli emphasized that an in-depth review of KFOR revealed a pressing need to increase the number of soldiers and enhance their available equipment. He also mentioned that, as part of this initiative, at least two missions had been initiated to collect more data to better understand the situation in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. General Cavoli noted the potential for ethnic tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to escalate, possibly destabilizing the Western Balkans.
The American general observed that ethnonationalist politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina obstruct crucial political, legal, and economic reforms essential for accelerating Euro-Atlantic integration.
Rise in unrest in the region
General Cavoli also touched upon the recent increase in unrest in the region, leading to discussions about a resolution on Srebrenica to be voted on by the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution proposes the establishment of July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide.
In July 1995, more than 8,000 men and boys from the Bosnian Muslim community were murdered near Srebrenica, a 'safe area' under UN protection at the time. Efforts continue to locate the remains of about a thousand victims.
Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Serbia, voiced concerns that the adoption of the resolution might lead to future demands for war reparations against Belgrade and challenge the status of Republika Srpska (RS) - a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina recognized by the Dayton peace agreement, which includes areas where genocide and ethnic cleansing were committed.
Last Monday, RS President Milorad Dodik stated that the region's authorities are taking determined steps towards independence for the area predominantly inhabited by Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From Thursday night to Friday, the RS parliament decided to assume election-related competencies from the central Bosnian and Herzegovinian authorities and also supported a report denying the Srebrenica genocide.
