Why did republic of Kosovo become independent?

The Republic of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, primarily due to longstanding ethnic tensions and conflicts between the Albanian majority and the Serbian minority. The move followed a period of international oversight after the 1999 NATO intervention, which aimed to halt ethnic cleansing during the Kosovo War. Kosovo's independence has been recognized by over 100 countries, although Serbia and some other nations still do not recognize it, leading to ongoing diplomatic tensions. The declaration was seen as a step towards self-determination for the predominantly Albanian population.