Turkey Likely to Take Command of NATO-led Force in Kosovo
- Take-over seen happening in the fall, people familiar say
- Region has recently seen the worst clashes in a decade
Turkish troops, arriving at Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari in Pristina, Kosovo on June 7.
Photographer: Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Turkey is expected to assume command of the NATO-led force in Kosovo in a planned rotation this fall, in the wake of the worst clashes in the region in a decade, according to Turkish officials familiar with the issue.
Turkey, which has the second largest army within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after the US, will likely take over leadership of the mission known as KFOR from Italy in October, the officials said, asking not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the information. The handover was planned before the latest flare-up of violence and the choice of Turkey has not yet been finalized.