KFOR has begun the gradual withdrawal of its permanent presence from the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, after 27 years of stationing at this point.
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The NATO-led mission announced this development today, linking the decision to the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo. In a response to KosovaPress, KFOR clarified that the process aims to optimize its positioning.
“The KFOR mission, led by NATO, has begun the gradual transition of KFOR’s permanent presence from the main bridge in Mitrovica. In line with the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo, this is part of the process to optimize KFOR’s positioning,” the mission’s response stated.
Also today, it was reported that the Kosovo Police has started to gradually integrate into KFOR’s security architecture at the Deçan Monastery.
University professors and security experts have described this development as positive, emphasizing that the security situation in the country has improved.
University professor Dorajet Imeri told KosovaPress that the partial withdrawal of KFOR troops is the result of the continuous commitment of Kosovo’s security institutions. According to him, the fight against illegal structures and other groups that have acted according to Serbia’s instructions has been particularly important.
Imeri assessed that central institutions should maintain a professional approach, while describing the recent development as a very great achievement and as evidence of the trust that NATO, through KFOR, has in the Kosovo Police.
He said that the Republic’s institutions should continue to act professionally and comprehensively, constantly assessing risk through patrols and other well-known institutional practices. According to Imeri, the Kosovo Police has so far guaranteed security for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, and this approach has yielded results.
The professor added that the decision to transition KFOR’s presence constitutes confirmation of the increase in peace and security, as well as the capacities of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, especially the security ones, to take over such functions.
Security expert Mentor Vrajolli also considered the decision positive, based on KFOR’s official statement that it is linked to the improvement of security. He said that this process does not necessarily imply the creation of a conflict in the north or in other areas of Kosovo.
According to Vrajolli, the Kosovo Police is carrying out its duty and providing security for all communities. He emphasized that Kosovo is safer than it has ever been, while in the north there has been extremely great progress, which may have also influenced KFOR’s decision to begin the withdrawal.
KFOR further announced that the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilović, has been regularly informed about the troop withdrawal process from the area above the Ibar River. The mission also emphasized that its personnel are appropriately positioned to respond to any relevant developments.
