DISINFO: NATO bombed Yugoslavia because it wanted to be present in the Balkans
SUMMARY
NATO bombed Yugoslavia 20 years ago because it wanted to gain a foothold in the Balkans. It wanted the Bondsteel military base.
RESPONSE
Disinformation narrative consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about NATO aggression. NATO's military intervention was not intended for a military presence or control in the Balkans, but to ensure that "all the countries of south-eastern Europe can enjoy peace and security". NATO launched a campaign of air strikes against Serbia beginning on the 24th of March 1999 to stop Belgrade's crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. The primary purpose of the campaign was to end violence and repression and force Milosevic's to withdraw his military, police and para-military forces from Kosovo (see NATO statement from 1999). See more cases about NATO and the Balkans here.