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The War crimes in the Kosovo War were a series of war crimes committed during the Kosovo War (early 1998 – 11 June 1999). Yugoslav security forces killed many Albanian civilians during the war; there were also attacks on Yugoslav security forces and moderate Serb-friendly Albanians by the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK). According to Human Rights Watch, the vast majority of the violations from January 1998 to April 1999 were attributable to Serbian Police or the Yugoslav Army. Violations also include abuses committed by Albanian militants, such as kidnappings and summary executions of other minority races.[1]

The opposing sides often claimed justification for their war crimes due to some past war crimes or terrorist attacks committed by the other side. Other justifications includes claiming the victims to be combatants instead of civilians.

In Serbia, Serb policemen who fought separatists in Kosovo are still considered war heroes,[2][3] while in Kosovo some Albanian militants were awarded the "Hero of Kosovo" title.[4]