Kosovo Marks 25 Years Since Serbian Withdrawal

Kosovo celebrated the 25th anniversary of Serbian forces withdrawal post-NATO bombing campaign. The 1998-1999 Kosovo Liberation Army's conflict resulted in 13,000 deaths and Serbia's eventual withdrawal. Despite declaring independence in 2008, Kosovo-Serbia relations remain tense with ongoing EU-facilitated normalization talks showing limited progress.

Kosovo commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Serbian forces' withdrawal following NATO's 78-day bombing campaign, a pivotal event that paved the way for its independence nine years later.

The 1998-1999 conflict saw the Kosovo Liberation Army clash with Serbian forces, leading to approximately 13,000 deaths and the deportation of around 1 million people. The NATO intervention resulted in Serbian withdrawal, and the establishment of an international peacekeeping force, KFOR.

Marking the event in Pristina, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair highlighted the broader significance of Kosovo's struggle for freedom and justice. However, Kosovo-Serbia relations remain strained, with EU-mediated normalization talks making little headway since a deadly shootout in September last year. The EU and the United States urge both nations to adhere to agreements made in 2022.