The Italian Task Group of NATO's Operational Reserve Forces (ORF) has arrived at Camp Villaggio Italia in Kosovo, concluding the phase of entry into the operational theatre.
These are two companies composed of about 230 soldiers, mostly men and women of the 5th infantry regiment of the “Aosta” brigade and a quota of the Carabinieri. Many of them already have several experiences gained in other international missions and will be added to the over 800 already present in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led “Joint Enterprise” mission.
The Italian Task Group, which relieved two companies (one Bulgarian, the other Greek) part of NATO's Multinational ORF Battalion, was deployed with 7 days' notice, following coordination between NATO Joint Force Command Naples, KFOR Headquarters and the joint operational command (COVI), responsible for planning and directing the 36 joint missions and operations that currently involve over 13 Italian soldiers in 25 different countries around the world.
The deployment of NATO reserve operational forces in Kosovo is a precautionary measure requested by the Commander of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and authorised by the North Atlantic Council following the ongoing unstable situation in the Balkans, mainly due to inter-ethnic frictions still existing within some Kosovar communities.
The Italian soldiers will operate for a three-month mandate under the direct command of the KFOR commander and will strengthen the NATO presence especially in the eastern sector of Kosovo, including the area where the bridge over the Ibar River is located, which separates an important Serbian enclave from the majority of the ethnic Albanian population.
The deployment operations were completed thanks to a significant logistical effort coordinated in Italy by COVI and implemented in the operational theatre by personnel from the Support Battalion of the regional command West: personnel, vehicles and materials reached Kosovo on board air, sea and land carriers.
KFOR operates in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, contributing to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment, as well as freedom of movement for all communities living in Kosovo.
