**WASHINGTON** – The Pentagon is preparing to send about 1,000 additional U.S. troops to Kosovo as tensions rise with neighboring Serbia over disputed territory, according to a senior U.S. defense official..
The decision to deploy the troops was made in coordination with NATO, which has been leading a peacekeeping force in Kosovo since 1999. The additional U.S. forces will augment the roughly 3,700 NATO troops already on the ground, the official said..
The move comes amid heightened tensions between Kosovo and Serbia over the disputed region of northern Kosovo, where most of the ethnic Serb minority lives. In recent weeks, there have been a series of incidents involving gunfire and explosions, and NATO has warned that it will not tolerate any violence or attempts to destabilize the region..
The U.S. troops will be sent to Kosovo from Germany and Italy, where they are currently based, the official said. They are expected to arrive in Kosovo in the coming days..
The deployment of additional U.S. troops to Kosovo is a sign of the growing concern in Washington about the potential for conflict in the region. The United States has been a strong supporter of Kosovo’s independence, which was declared in 2008, and has been working to help the country build a stable and democratic society..
However, Serbia has never recognized Kosovo’s independence, and tensions between the two countries have remained high. The deployment of additional U.S. troops is intended to help deter any further escalation of violence and to support NATO’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region..
The official said that the U.S. troops will be deployed for an initial period of six months, but that the deployment could be extended if necessary. The troops will be under the command of NATO and will work closely with other NATO forces in Kosovo..
The deployment of additional U.S. troops to Kosovo is the latest sign of the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting NATO and maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans. The United States has been a leading member of NATO since its founding in 1949, and has played a key role in the alliance’s efforts to promote peace and security in Europe..
