The History of Kosovo: A Look at the Region's Troubled Past
Kosovo is a small landlocked country in the Balkans region of Europe. It is bordered by Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia, and is home to a population of approximately 1.8 million people. Despite its small size, Kosovo has a long and complex history, and its past has been shaped by centuries of conflict and strife.
Kosovo's earliest inhabitants were Illyrian tribes, who are believed to have settled in the region around 1000 BC. The Illyrians were conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, and the region was then ruled by the Byzantine Empire from the 4th to the 15th centuries. In the late 14th century, Kosovo became part of the Serbian Empire, and it remained part of the Serbian state until the Ottoman Empire conquered it in the 15th century.
For centuries, the Ottoman Empire ruled over Kosovo, and the region was largely left to its own devices. This changed in the 19th century, when Serbia began to assert its independence, and the region was caught in the middle of the struggle between the Serbs and the Ottomans. In 1912, Serbia declared war on the Ottoman Empire and gained control of Kosovo.
Kosovo remained part of Serbia until the end of World War II, when it was annexed by Yugoslavia. Under Yugoslav rule, Kosovo was granted autonomy, and it remained a part of the Yugoslav state until it declared independence in 2008.
Since its independence, Kosovo has been the subject of ongoing tensions between Serbia and the Kosovar Albanian population. In 1999, NATO intervened in the region to end a conflict between Serbian forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). In 2008, Kosovo declared independence, and it is now recognized by over 100 countries.
Despite its tumultuous past, Kosovo is slowly rebuilding and is now a member of the United Nations. The country is also a member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and is making strides towards becoming a fully-fledged member of the European Union.
Kosovo's history is complex and often tragic, but it is a testament to the resilience of the people of the region. Despite centuries of conflict and strife, Kosovo is slowly making progress towards a brighter future.