Today, on October 16, 2025, an incident occurred in which members of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) entered the territory of northern Kosovo. The police explained that it was a unit that had “strayed”. Such an explanation is unacceptable and raises serious concern among citizens, as it demonstrates a profound lack of institutional control and transparency in the area of security.
We remind that this is not the first time that members of the Kosovo Security Forces have entered northern Kosovo under explanations whose credibility is highly questionable, further deepening the sense of insecurity among the local population and pointing to a systemic failure in the supervision and coordination of security structures, as well as the continued politicization of security institutions.
Under the existing provisions of the Brussels Agreement and the mandate defined by the United Nations Security Council, KFOR bears the primary responsibility for overseeing and ensuring the security regime in northern Kosovo. Today’s event clearly demonstrates that KFOR’s current operational capacity and model of presence are not adequately adapted to the actual security risks and dynamics on the ground.
The lack of an adequate response and oversight by KFOR calls into question citizens’ trust in international security guarantees and creates additional tension in an already fragile security environment.
Therefore, we call on KFOR to:
• Assume full responsibility for monitoring the implementation of security arrangements in northern Kosovo;
• Increase the physical and operational presence of its units in northern municipalities;
• Establish clear preventive mechanisms to prevent any unauthorized activities by armed formations, including the Kosovo Security Forces, in this part of the territory.
Civil society from northern Kosovo expects KFOR to take a more decisive, responsible, and visible approach to its mandate, as stability and security cannot rest on “strayed” units, excuses, and their subsequent political misuse, but on trust, professionalism, and consistent implementation of international obligations.
Signatories:
New Social Initiative NSI
Center for Affirmative Social Actions – CASA
Ngo Aktiv
Advocacy Center For Democratic Culture
Institute for Territorial Economic Development
