Turkey is reportedly set to take the lead of NATO's mission in Kosovo in October, following the worst outbreak of violence in the region in a decade. The KFOR mission is currently commanded by Italy. However, the timing of the handover has not been altered since the recent flare-up of violence and whether or not Turkey will be selected as the successor has not yet been finalised.
The violence has led to the deployment by NATO of a Turkish commando unit to the region, following protests in which thirty peacekeepers were injured. The protests potentially threaten years of normalisation work between Serbia and Kosovo, a process regarded as vital during a time when the EU and NATO allies are predominantly focused on the wider Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Originally part of Serbia, Kosovo declared independence and was recognised by the EU and US in 2008, nearly a decade following the end of the war. NATO forces have been stationed in Kosovo since the end of the conflict, with around 3,800 troops currently deployed on KFOR. At its zenith, KFOR's deployment consisted of 50,000 soldiers.
The proposed Turkish leadership underscores both its commitment to NATO's wider mission and its cultural links to the Balkans, which were part of the Ottoman Empire. No comment was available from the Turkish Defence Ministry on the matter and NATO declined to comment.