Kosovo is marking November 27 as Armed Forces Day, also known as the Day of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), as it has been officially designated.
As in previous years, a „Day of Open Doors“ was organized today for citizens at all barracks housing the Kosovo Security Force, including those in South Mitrovica, Gnjilane, Prizren, Uroševac, Kosovo Polje, Istok, and Pristina.
To mark the occasion, in addition to citizens who, as reported by the media, visited the „Adem Jashari“ barracks in Pristina today (formerly the pre-war „Marshal Tito“ barracks, which housed the 15th Armored Brigade of the Yugoslav National Army, later renamed „Kosovo Heroes“ barracks under the Yugoslav Army), the site was also visited by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci, and the leadership of the Kosovo Security Force.
Photographs taken at the Pristina barracks and published by Teve1 show that children were present at the event. They posed in front of KSF military vehicles dressed in traditional Albanian attire, holding Albanian flags.
Some were also seen in camouflage uniforms, including those bearing the UÇK emblem. A few held replica weapons, with their faces fully visible.
Similarly, footage and photographs shared on the Facebook page Mitropol showed children in uniforms with UÇK emblems and unblurred faces walking along the promenade in the southern part of Mitrovica.
Kurti Highlights Investments in Defense
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti addressed the Armed Forces Day celebrations, congratulating the KSF and emphasizing the government’s investments in defense.
According to Priština-based Koha, Kurti praised the progress made in modernizing the KSF and increasing its capabilities.
„To all officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, the minister, and the commander: happy Armed Forces Day. Congratulations to the citizens of the Republic, as the army is theirs and for them,“ Kurti stated.
He highlighted key milestones, including the doubling of soldiers, tripling of the defense budget, quadrupling of training sessions, and the acquisition of equipment from Turkey, Germany, and Croatia. According to Kurti, most of these advancements were funded domestically, with additional support from international donations.
Minister Praises a KSF as Regional Security Player
Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, also extended his congratulations to the KSF, lauding its evolution into a key security player in the region and a trusted partner of NATO and the United States.
„Dear officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force, happy Armed Forces Day. I am extremely proud of the rapid development of the KSF into a professional army,“ Maqedonci stated.
He added that the KSF symbolizes Kosovo’s „centuries-old dream“ and national unity, embodied in the eagle on the flag and the ideals it represents. „The eagle signifies the history of our nation, unity that transcends borders, and roots that are unbreakable,“ he said.
Osmani „Honors Fallen Heroes“
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, speaking from Colombia during the opening of Kosovo’s diplomatic mission in Bogotá, paid tribute to the KSF and those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
„On the day of our army, we honor the heart and spirit of homeland defense – the Kosovo Security Force. Eternal glory to the heroes who laid the foundation of our army!“ Osmani wrote on X.
A song honoring Kosovo’s national hero, Adem Jashari, could also be heard today at the highest points in Mitrovica and Zvečan.
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