Serbian-language media outlet "Srpski telegraf" published an article yesterday (August 8) claiming that Turkey and Britain are preparing the ground for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to attack Serbia, specifically the border settlements of Vranje, Raska and Kraljevo.
The media outlet's claim is based on statements by Milovan Drecun, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Kosovo, and retired Serbian colonel Ljuban Karan.
Drecun claims that Turkey, with the help of Great Britain, has made a plan to protect Kosovo from a possible incursion by Serbian security forces in the north, which in fact has become an offensive plan, which also includes extremely brutal military attacks on places where our security forces are deployed in the territory of central Serbia, along the administrative line, from Vranje, to Kraljevo and Raska.
Meanwhile, Karan says that Ankara appears to have made some kind of agreement with NATO to expand its influence in the Balkans.
However, according to the verification and fact-checking of these media publications, it turns out that the claims made by the two Serbian representatives are not based on facts, and that the media have not verified them.
Link to the article published in "Srpski telegraf":
https://www.republika.rs/vesti/tema-dana/456237/tursko-britanski-plan-kosovo-srbija
Excerpts from the article published in "Srpski telegraf":
Serbia will be exposed to the most brutal pressure in the coming period regarding Kosovo. In addition to political threats and economic conditions, the mentors of Albin Kurti, the prime minister of the provisional institutions of Pristina, decided to raise the level of blackmail of Belgrade and support it in new actions of terrorizing Serbs, the goal of which is not de-escalation, but provoking armed conflicts.
Turkish officers, with the help of Great Britain, drafted a plan for the so-called Kosovo Security Forces to emerge at the administrative line, and their scenario does not exclude a military attack on our security forces as far as Kraljevo.
This article appeared on the front page of the Serbian-language newspaper "Srpski telegraf" on Wednesday (August 9). (here)
Serbian representatives are trying to link Turkey's takeover of KFOR, the increase in Turkish forces and the weapons purchased by Kosovo, with the preparation of a plan for a possible attack by Serbia. According to them, Great Britain is also part of this plan.
However, from the fact-checking process in the articles published in these media, hibrid.info understands that the claims are not substantiated.
Initially, the claim about the expansion of Turkey's influence in the region is based on developments that are misinterpreted.
It is a fact that Turkey will take over the command of KFOR. However, this will happen as part of the organization of this institution within which the change of command is done by rotation. To date, there have been over 20 commanders general of KFOR from countries such as: USA, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Hungary and Spain. (here)
The addition of Turkish soldiers to KFOR came as a result of the escalation of the situation in northern Kosovo and at the request of NATO, to de-escalate the situation in that area. In addition, the Turkish ambassador to Kosovo, Sabri Tunç Angili, has announced that Kosovo is Turkey's strategic partner and vice versa and should not be seen too much as a defensive partner. (here)
The additional troops from the Turkish contingent are under the organization of KFOR, whose mission is to maintain a secure environment in Kosovo and freedom of movement for all, with particular attention continuing to be paid to the protection of minorities. This includes regular patrols near minority enclaves, checkpoints, escorts for minority groups, protection of heritage sites such as monasteries, and donations, including food, clothing and school supplies. (here)
On the other hand, as the Turkish ambassador announced, the arrival of the “Bayraktar” drones in Kosovo was the result of an agreement and not a donation. He also emphasizes that Turkey and other countries will respond to the needs of the Kosovo Government to receive additional military equipment within the framework of NATO. (here)
Regarding the claim about expanding Turkey's influence in the Balkans, the ambassador calls it false, emphasizing the fact that Turkey only wants to help Kosovo on its Euro-Atlantic path. (here)
So, even the claim that Turkey is preparing a plan to enable the KSF to attack Serbia is not based on facts. Official Ankara never seems to have made any such position. In fact, Turkey's official positions were contrary to the claims made. Turkish diplomacy has expressed itself in favor of diplomatic solutions to tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, excluding military forms. (here)
On the other hand, the involvement of Britain as part of this plan cannot be argued for the fact that Great Britain has called on the Government of Kosovo to de-escalate the situation in the north. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Great Britain, James Cleverly, has emphasized the need to reduce tensions and take steps forward towards new inclusive elections. (here)
Including the above arguments, the claims of the Serbian representatives turn out to be untenable because they are not based on facts.
Analyze:
The claim that Turkey and Britain are preparing the ground for an attack on Serbia is unfounded.
Even claims that Turkey is trying to increase its influence in the Balkans to take the place of the West have been denied.
The allegations about Turkey arming the KSF do not stand up to the fact that the drones were purchased and not donated.
The tendency to include Great Britain as part of the plan is unfounded due to the fact that Britain has expressed an official position on de-escalation of the situation and the need to reduce tensions.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info considers these claims to be "conspiracy theories".
Rating:
"Conspiracy theories" are media reports that disseminate a false or unverifiable description of a phenomenon, event, or person, presenting it as part of or the result of a secret plan ("conspiracy"). A characteristic of these reports is that they present a series of claims, presented as facts, between which cause-effect relationships are established, without providing any credible evidence.