Ibishi: KSF is already an army; investments should be increased

KFOR is responsible for security in Kosovo, but the reality on the ground is that at this moment, there are "two armies." The NATO mission, in accordance with Resolution 1244, and the KSF, which should be officially formed as the Kosovo Armed Forces by no later than 2028, although practically, considering the investments in personnel and weaponry made in the last two years, it's already an army in every aspect except the name.

Security expert Nuredin Ibishi believes that there's no reason to be alarmed, emphasizing that the KSF doesn't engage in offensive but defensive operations.

Ibishi points out that the KSF is in a transitional phase, and these investments are normal.

"It is necessary to increase both the personnel numbers, as predicted by the transition plan, and the equipment and weaponry. Therefore, it's crucial to raise the budget percentage, as the Prime Minister also stated. This doesn't just pertain to weaponry but also equipment, infrastructure, and additional allowances for recruitment, education, equipment, and other logistical needs for personnel, which have seen an increase due to the government's decision and the adoption of a 10-year transition plan," Ibishi said for Kosovo Online.

He highlights that the region shouldn't be in panic about this, noting that KFOR is responsible for security in Kosovo. He also doesn't believe that the KSF will start acquiring heavier weaponry.

"The Kosovo Security Forces do not have the prerogatives for offensive actions but rather defensive actions in the case of a hypothetical attack. So, all these means do not involve heavy artillery, offensive aviation, or other missile systems. They rely on defensive actions," Ibishi emphasizes.

The Kosovo Parliament adopted three laws on December 14, 2018, with 106 votes in favor and one abstention, changing the mandate of the Kosovo Security Forces into the Army of Kosovo. Ibishi emphasizes that the KSF is already an army.

"The KSF is in a ten-year process of developing the Armed Forces, the Kosovo Security Forces, which includes enhancing the education of both active and reserve personnel. This means there are another six to seven years left until the completion of this transition process. It implies that the active military component will consist of 5,000 personnel, with 3,000 in reserve. This encompasses recruitment, training, education in all phases for soldiers, non-commissioned officers, officers, schooling both within and outside NATO member countries, academies, but also other logistical needs, accommodation, infrastructure, logistical requirements in terms of equipment, uniforms, weaponry, and participation in other security missions, such as those in the Middle East, and also the Falkland Islands of the United Kingdom, where they have participated in peacekeeping operations, as well as exceptional situations like floods or earthquakes in Turkey, where the KSF has participated in rescuing people from the rubble and providing assistance to citizens who were under the debris due to earthquakes," Ibishi said.