On the eve of the 16th anniversary of Kosovo's Independence, Serbian media have revisited speculations about the events leading up to Kosovo's liberation in 1999 and the declaration of independence on February 17, 2008. They have done this by citing statements from individuals, which are not supported by the institutions they belong to or any credible international documents.
The Serbian media outlet Alo.rs published an article claiming to confirm what they had long believed. The article was featured on the front page with the headline: "CIA CREATED THE KLA." Alongside the logos of the KLA and the CIA, the front page also displayed photos of several KLA founders, including former Political Director Hashim Thaçi.
Photo: Alo.rs
The article includes a statement from former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter, who wrote on his "X" platform account that "In 1999 the CIA manufactured a claim that Serbia was engaged in genocide against 1.6 million Albanians in Kosovo." According to Ritter, the CIA created its private army of terrorists, referring to the KLA. He further claims that the KLA and the CIA worked hand in hand to fabricate the narrative of genocide committed by Serbia.
The same article was also published by SrpskaCafe, Republika.rs, Srbija Danas, 24Sedam, Novosti.rs.
Credible international reports and well-known global media confirm that despite initial doubts, the KLA was recognized as a legitimate guerrilla force opposing Milosevic's regime, a regime that committed massacres in Kosovo. Consequently, the CIA also cooperated with the KLA, which was formed in 1993. The organization of the KLA received international support, culminating in NATO's bombing campaign against Serbia after Milosevic refused to sign the Rambouillet Agreement.
However, this is not the first time that Serbian media have stirred speculation regarding various events that contributed to Kosovo's liberation and declaration of independence.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.
