Kosovo independence

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Its statehood is recognized by many countries but remains disputed by Serbia and others.

Kosovo War: The 1998–1999 armed conflict between Yugoslav forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army, followed by NATO intervention. The war and its aftermath placed Kosovo under international administration before independence was declared.
Kosovo Declaration of Independence: The text adopted by Kosovo’s assembly on 17 February 2008, declaring Kosovo an independent state. It is the formal act through which Kosovo proclaimed independence.
Ibrahim Rugova: A Kosovo Albanian political leader who advocated nonviolent resistance to Serbian rule during the 1990s. His earlier campaign for independence shaped Kosovo Albanian political life before the war.
Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo: Serbia’s claim that Kosovo remains an integral part of its territory despite Kosovo’s declaration of independence. This claim directly conflicts with Kosovo’s assertion of independent statehood.
Kosovo Force: A NATO-led international military force deployed in Kosovo in 1999 to maintain security. KFOR remained a security presence after independence, under a mandate rooted in Resolution 1244.
Kosovo Liberation Army: An ethnic Albanian guerrilla organization that fought Yugoslav forces in Kosovo during the late 1990s. Its insurgency helped trigger the conflict that preceded Kosovo’s international administration.
Assembly of Kosovo: The elected legislature of Kosovo, responsible for passing laws and representing its population. Its members adopted the declaration of independence in 2008.
Hashim Thaçi: A Kosovo Albanian politician and former Kosovo Liberation Army leader who became prime minister in 2008. He led Kosovo’s government when the assembly declared independence.
Kosovo status dispute: The international and political disagreement over whether Kosovo is independent or part of Serbia. The declaration changed the dispute’s circumstances but did not resolve it.
European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo: An EU mission supporting Kosovo’s police, judiciary, and customs institutions. EULEX became part of the international presence accompanying Kosovo’s state-building.

Linked from 8 pages