Irish Defence Forces monitoring worsening security situation in Kosovo

US troops in the KFOR peacekeeping force guard a checkpoint near the Kosovo-Serbia border amid recent ethnic tensions including a shooting incident on Christmas Day. Picture: Marjan Vucetic/AP

The Defence Forces are monitoring a worsening security situation in Kosovo after shots were fired near peacekeepers in the north of the Balkan state.

There are 13 personnel from the Irish Defence Forces serving with the KFOR mission — which is mandated by the UN and led by Nato — although none of the Irish soldiers is conducting active patrols.