On February 22, 1998, the Kosovo conflict escalated as ethnic Albanians began a violent rebellion against Serbian rule. The conflict, fueled by years of ethnic tensions and political disputes, led to violent crackdowns by Serbian forces. By the end of the year, the violence had resulted in thousands of deaths, and hundreds of thousands were displaced from their homes. The international community, led by NATO, intervened to stop the human rights abuses, eventually leading to the withdrawal of Serbian forces. The war ultimately paved the way for Kosovos declaration of independence in 2008.