Kosovo celebrates 25th anniversary of liberation from Serb forces
- Kosovo commemorates the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serb forces after a NATO bombing campaign.
- The NATO bombing opened the way for Kosovo's independence nine years later.
- The celebration marks a significant day in Kosovo's history.
Kosovo celebrated its liberation day, marking the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serb forces after the 1998-1999 war with ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army separatists. NATO's 78-day bombing campaign against Serbia led to its withdrawal, with about 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, dying under Serbian repression. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it. Kosovo-Serbia ties have worsened, and EU-facilitated talks have stalled. NATO-led peacekeepers have increased along the border. Former leaders like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton praised NATO's intervention. Kosovo-Serbia relations remain tense, with normalization talks failing to progress. EU and U.S. pressure both sides to implement agreements for potential EU membership.