Kosovo Force
| Kosovo Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 11 June 1999 |
| Type | Command |
| Role | NATO peacekeeping |
| Size | 4,699 military personnel |
| Part of | NATO |
| Nickname(s) | "KFOR" |
| Engagements | Yugoslav Wars |
| Website | jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Major general Enrico Barduani, Italian Army |
| Deputy Commander | Brigade-general Cahit İrican, Turkish Armed Forces |
| Chief of Staff | BG Art Garffer, US Army |
| Command Sergeant Major | Primo luogotenente q.s. Marcello Carlo Pagliara, Italian Army |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force and military of Kosovo. KFOR is the third security responder, after the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law (EULEX) mission, respectively, with whom NATO peacekeeping forces work in close coordination. Its operations are gradually reducing until the Kosovo Security Force, established in 2009, becomes self-sufficient.
KFOR entered Kosovo on 12 June 1999, one day after the United Nations Security Council adopted the UNSC Resolution 1244. At the time, Kosovo was facing a grave humanitarian crisis, with military forces from Yugoslavia in action against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in daily engagements. Nearly one million people had fled Kosovo as refugees by that time, many of whom left permanently.
Currently, 28 states contribute to the KFOR, with a combined strength of approximately 4,686 military personnel.