NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia was initiated in response to the increasing humanitarian crisis in Kosovo, where ongoing conflict between Yugoslav forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) had resulted in significant civilian casualties and mass displacements. The situation deteriorated in late 1998, prompting international concern about human rights violations being perpetrated against ethnic Albanians. Despite extensive diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, including the Rambouillet negotiations, no agreement could be reached, leading to a consensus among NATO members for military intervention. On March 24, 1999, NATO launched Operation Allied Force, marking the first time the alliance conducted an operation without UNSC approval, emphasizing the organization's willingness to act unilaterally to address humanitarian issues. The air campaign aimed to incapacitate the Yugoslav military and to force the regime of Slobodan Milošević to cease hostilities and withdraw its forces from Kosovo. Over the course of 78 days, NATO conducted thousands of airstrikes against a variety of targets, leading to significant destruction and ultimately contributing to the withdrawal of Serbian troops from Kosovo. The war concluded with the establishment of a United Nations-administered protectorate in Kosovo.