The Kosovo War

Overview of the Conflict

The Kosovo War was fought between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Triggered by ethnic Albanian discrimination and political repression by Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević, the conflict escalated after the KLA’s formation in 1989.

The KLA’s initial campaign stemmed from dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Kosovo in the Dayton Agreement.

In 1999, Yugoslav forces began a massive campaign of repression and expulsions of Kosovar Albanians following the withdrawal of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) and the failure of the proposed Rambouillet Agreement.

The Kumanovo Agreement of 9th June 1999 ended the war and facilitated Yugoslav and Serbian troop withdrawal.

NATO entered Kosovo on 12th June under humanitarian pretenses and without UNSC approval, causing nearly 488 Yugoslav civilian deaths, including substantial numbers of Kosovar refugees.

Post-war, the UN documented widespread atrocities against the Albanian population, though it did not classify them as genocide.

The conflict resulted in significant civilian casualties and mass displacement, with subsequent repercussions for ethnic minorities.

The Yugoslav and Serb forces caused the displacement of between 1.2 million and 1.45 million Kosovo Albanians.

After the war, around 200,000 Serbs, Romani, and other non-Albanians fled Kosovo and many of the remaining civilians were victims of abuse.

The Kosovo Liberation Army dissolved post-war, with members dispersing to various factions and institutions like the National Liberation Army (NLA) and Albanian National Army (ANA) during the ethnic conflict in Macedonia (2001).

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) convicted several individuals from both sides for war crimes.

Background of the Conflict

Kosovo, originating from a Serbian term meaning “field of blackbirds,” and located in the Balkans, held historical significance as a core of the medieval Serbian Empire before Ottoman rule in the 15th century.

In the 20th century, Kosovo became part of Serbia, later Yugoslavia, where ethnic Albanians, primarily Muslim, outnumbered the Eastern Orthodox Serbs, leading to interethnic tensions.

The conflict’s roots lie in Yugoslavia’s breakup in the early 1990s, igniting ethnic tensions.

Predominantly Albanian Kosovo sought autonomy or independence from Serbia.

Milošević’s nationalist stance and refusal to grant autonomy fuelled the formation of the KLA, aiming for independence through armed struggle.

Amid the broader Yugoslav Wars, Kosovo became a focal point of Serbian nationalism and Albanian resistance.

The conflict, marked by historical grievances, ethnic identity, and sovereignty issues, remained deeply entrenched with profound consequences.

The Beginning and Spread of the Conflict

In 1998, Amnesty International reported that due to dismissals by the Yugoslav government, the unemployment rate among Kosovar Albanians exceeded 70%.

Belgrade’s economic apartheid further impoverished the already struggling Kosovo Albanian population.

President Ibrahim Rugova’s policy of passive resistance maintained peace but fostered frustration among Albanians, leading to the emergence of the KLA.

Initially, the KLA aimed to counter Yugoslav repression but later pursued the establishment of a Greater Albania.

Despite Rugova’s promises to protect minority rights, the KLA advocated for the expulsion of Serbs involved in violence.

Negotiations at Rambouillet failed due to fundamental disagreements, leading to NATO airstrikes and subsequent Yugoslav acceptance of autonomy for Kosovo but rejection of NATO troops.

The breakdown in negotiations was complex, with international mediators facing criticism for perceived bias towards Kosovo Albanians.

The NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia began on 24th March 1999, following the failure of peace talks with a goal to remove Yugoslav troops from Kosovo and allow the return of Albanian refugees.

Lasting until 11th June 1999, the campaign involved up to 1,000 aircraft and extensive use of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The conflict inflicted significant casualties and led to political complexities in Kosovo, including tensions between the Democratic League of Kosovo (DLK) and the KLA.

Casualties in the Kosovo conflict encompass significant civilian losses, with the Red Cross reporting 3,368 missing individuals, and a study estimating 12,000 deaths attributed to war-related trauma.

A joint study in 2008 listed 13,535 casualties, predominantly Albanians.

Involvement of the UN

The United Nations played a pivotal role in addressing the Kosovo conflict, primarily through diplomatic channels and post-war stabilisation efforts.

Despite expressing deep concern and calling for a ceasefire and negotiations, the UN was unable to authorise military intervention due to Russian vetoes in the Security Council.

Following the conflict’s cessation, the UN established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) under UNSC Resolution 1244 in June 1999.

UNMIK’s mandate included civil administration oversight, reconstruction, humanitarian aid facilitation, and paving the way for self-governance in Kosovo.

This initiative signified a critical phase of international governance, aiming to restore peace, facilitate political processes, and safeguard human rights in the region.

Aftermath

In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, supported by over 100 countries, including the United States and most EU members, recognised Kosovo. However, Serbia, Russia, China, and others still reject this independence.

Despite international reconciliation efforts, tensions persist between ethnic Albanians and Serb minorities.

Discrimination against Serbs and limited opportunities prevail.

While many Albanian refugees returned post-war, challenges persist for Serb reintegration.

Economic reconstruction efforts, supported by international aid and investment, have alleviated damage, yet Kosovo remains economically disadvantaged, marked by high unemployment and limited prospects.

NATO intervention established precedents for “humanitarian action”, with ongoing peacekeeping efforts by KFOR ensuring stability. However, the unresolved Kosovo status fuels regional tensions, posing risks for renewed conflict.