Two hundred British Army troops to deploy to Kosovo for Nato peacekeeping mission
Around 200 British Army troops will deploy to Kosovo to provide support to Nato peacekeepers amid concerns Serbian's military is gathering on the border following months of tensions.
The 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is to join the 400-strong British contingent already in the country on an annual exercise, the MOD said.
It comes after an officer and three gunmen were killed when Serb gunmen and police belonging to the Albanian-led government engaged in 12 hours of shooting last weekend.
The troops have been specifically requested by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 'SACEUR', US General Chris Cavoli.
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: "The deployment of the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment demonstrates the responsiveness of the UK's Armed Forces. We continue to be a fundamental part of the Nato alliance, sharing our military expertise and strength.
"The extension of our support to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) underlines our unwavering commitment to NATO and the security of the Western Balkans region."
Kosovo declared independence in 2008. Its Prime Minister has accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack, but Serbia strongly denies the allegations.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:"Due to the current situation in Kosovo, we have transferred command of the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment to Nato so it can provide support if required.
"The UK continues to play a leading role in Nato, making substantial contributions to multinational operations, and the Battalion had recently arrived in the region for a long-planned training exercise."
In May, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey announced the UK's contribution to the Nato Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission in Kosovo will continue until at least 2026.
The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated Nato force since it first entered Kosovo as a peacekeeping force in 1999 to bring peace and stability following the conflict of the 1990s.
Approximately 4,000 KFOR troops from 28 countries provide a safe and secure environment for the entire population.
Fighting broke out between Serbian and Kosovo Albanian forces in 1998, amidst the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
A campaign of ethnic cleansing was pursued by President Slobodan Milosevic, prompting Nato's intervention in 1999.
The then-Serbian President spearheaded attacks against all non-Serbs, in particular Kosovo Albanians.
In response, failed diplomatic avenues were followed by military options, including airstrikes.
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