Moroccans end mission in Kosovo
Story and photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cody Harding
4th Public Affairs Detachment
S
ince the start of the Kosovo
Force mission in 1999, the
Moroccan Army has worked
alongside NATO, the United
Nations Mission in Kosovo and other
multinational units to provide a safe
and secure environment and freedom of
movement for the citizens of Kosovo.
Now, 14 years and 11,000 troops later,
the Moroccan Army says farewell to
KFOR as it ends its mission with a
withdrawal of forces ceremony on
Camp Novo Selo January 18.
The ceremony brought together
several members of the multinational
community,
including
Delphine
Borione, the French Ambassador to
Kosovo, Italian Army Major General
Salvatore Farina, the Commander of
KFOR, and U.S. Army Col. David
Woods, the Multinational Battle Group
– East Commander.
At the beginning of his speech,
Moroccan Army Lt. Col. Hicham
Lamrani, the commander of the
Moroccan Contingent, thanked the
members of KFOR for their support
over the years.
“Today we are here to give thanks
to you and the values we associate.
Brotherhood,
solidarity
and
commitment to humanity,” Lamrani
said. “So let me thank you on behalf
of the entire Moroccan contingent for
your support throughout our stay.”
After his speech, Farina gave a speech
on the history of Morocco’s support for
Kosovo and KFOR. Though the day
could be seen as a sad one, Farina said,
he was personally grateful for the work
of the Moroccan Coy.
Italian Army Major General Salvatore Farina, the Commander of Kosovo Forces, pins the NATO
medal on a Moroccan contingent soldier during the withdrawal of Moroccan forces ceremony on
Camp Novo Selo January 18. The ceremony marks the end of Morocco’s participation in the Kosovo Forces mission after 14 years.
“We are indeed grateful for the
commitment they have shared within
KFOR,” said Farina. “Morocco has
been long committed to Kosovo and
has responded positively to calls from
the international community since
the beginning to prevent conflict and
restore peace and security, here and
worldwide.”
After the speech and the awarding of
the NATO medal to nine Moroccan
soldiers for their outstanding work, the
Moroccans served a farewell meal to
the partners they have served with in
Kosovo.
“My Moroccan friends, you are indeed
part of our continued success. You
should be proud of this and we are
proud of you,” Farina said. “I thank you,
everyone, for your devotion to serving
your country and us at KFOR NATO
and the multinational community.
You have truly emphasized the KFOR
motto, more together, and we admire
your support. You are our KFOR
brothers and sisters, and we wish you,
the Moroccan armed forces and your
country the best for the future.”
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