About 12,000 military troops from the United States and its allied countries, including Kosovo, have gathered in the Balkans, as part of the second phase of the "DEFENDER 25" exercise, led by the US military.
The exercise, called "Immediate Response 25," which runs from May 26 to June 9, aims to test "how quickly and effectively" US troops can be deployed to Europe to defend the Eastern Wing of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with allies and partners.
Kosovo is one of eight countries where the exercise will take place, which, according to the United States European Command, aims to strengthen cyber defense and demonstrate the security capabilities of the US and its allies.
Parts of the exercise will also be held in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovakia.
The Kosovo Ministry of Defense has said that, during the period of the military exercise, in Kosovo "there will be movement of convoys from the Kosovo Security Force bases towards the Gjakova region, specifically the Gjakova Airport and the military training ground in Babaj i Bokas".
The KSF, according to the acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, "will demonstrate operational readiness and the degree of combat interoperability with partner countries and the region."
Meanwhile, the Albanian Ministry of Defense has said that "NATO and partner forces will train in Albania and Kosovo for the protection of critical facilities, offensive and defensive operations, as well as for security at key deployment points."
Albanian Defense Minister Pirro Vengu has claimed that this is "a test of interoperability and a clear message: NATO is united."
"DEFENDER 25" is the largest US military exercise in Europe, involving more than 25,000 troops from the US and 25 allied and partner countries./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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