The Kosovo Ministry of Defense and Kosovo Security Force (KSF) formally assumed control over the former airfield property in Dumoš, Podujevo Municipality. The transfer was announced today by Kosovo government official Ejup Maqedonci, who described the site as a „strategic point for enhancing defense and security.“
According to Maqedonci, this shift underscores significant progress for stability in the region.
„This step strengthens the presence of the KSF in the Labsko Polje and Goljak areas, providing increased security for residents of these regions and enabling faster response and support in cases of civil emergencies,“ he wrote on Facebook.
Maqedonci further emphasized that the handover reflects Kosovo’s dedication to bolstering its military capabilities, aiming to foster a more secure environment.
He also highlighted the symbolic importance of the date, as it coincides with the birthday of “Kosovo’s hero, strategist and the inspiration behind the liberation war, Commander Zahir Pajaziti.”
Meanwhile, recent changes on „Google Maps“ have labeled the location of the former airfield as a “KSF Air Base,” signifying its new operational role.
The move follows a decision by the Kosovo government in March of this year, when it approved a proposal from the Ministry of Defense to transfer ownership of the airfield to the Kosovo Security Force. Maqedonci had then stressed the strategic value of this property in building the country’s military capacity.
EULEX Withdraws from the Dumoš Facility
On the same day as the Ministry’s announcement, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) confirmed it had vacated a site in the same area.
According to EULEX’s statement, the site they used had served as a training center.
“The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) would like to inform that it has today vacated a site in Dumoš. The site had been utilized as a training center by EULEX under a right of use agreement from the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).”
However, EULEX did not specify if this facility was indeed the former airfield now under KSF management. Kosovo media reports in previous years had suggested EULEX used this property.
In 2017, Kosovo’s then-Minister of Infrastructure, Lutfi Zharku, had formally requested that EULEX release the airfield to enable its potential use for commercial aviation.
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