KFOR Begins Gradual Withdrawal from Ibar Bridge, Aliçkaj: Kurti and Kosovo Police Deserve Most of the Credit

KFOR’s permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica will undergo a gradual transition. The mission justified the decision by citing the improved security situation in Kosovo.

As part of this process, the Kosovo Police have begun taking over security on the main bridge over the Ibar. They are also gradually being given new responsibilities in the area surrounding the Deçan Monastery.

The transfer of these duties is considered an important development in strengthening the capacity of Kosovo’s institutions to guarantee security throughout the territory. At the same time, it is also seen as a political signal to Belgrade and those who oppose the strengthening of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Albanian-American activist Agim Aliçkaj, speaking to “Bota Sot,” described KFOR’s announcement as very positive news for the state of Kosovo. According to him, the move demonstrates that state institutions are continuing their work and assuming an increasing number of responsibilities in the security sector.

Aliçkaj said the gradual transition of oversight of the main Ibar Bridge from KFOR, together with the Kosovo Police’s gradual involvement in securing the Deçan Monastery, represents very good news for Kosovo. He emphasized that the state is functioning despite the difficulties in establishing institutions, which, according to him, have been caused mainly by blockades imposed by the election losers.

He added that in such cases, many voices emerge seeking to claim credit for a major achievement, recalling the saying that success has many fathers, while failure remains an orphan. Nevertheless, according to Aliçkaj, Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo Police deserve most of the credit for this development.

Analyzing the symbolic importance of the Ibar Bridge, Aliçkaj described it as a key point for unifying Mitrovica and integrating northern Kosovo into the functioning of the state.

According to him, bridges serve to bring people closer together, while the Ibar Bridge symbolizes the unification of Mitrovica and northern Kosovo, as well as the country’s functioning as a strong and unified state throughout its internationally recognized territory.

Aliçkaj recalled that, following the risk of a confrontation with KFOR over the main bridge across the Ibar, the Government of Kosovo made a strategic retreat. He described the decision to build new bridges over the Ibar River as prudent and very wise, adding that the project was implemented quickly and professionally.

In his assessment, the new bridges have diminished the importance of the bridge controlled by KFOR. Their operation, according to Aliçkaj, has shown that links and traffic between the different parts of Mitrovica can proceed normally without creating any risk for residents of northern Kosovo, including the Serb minority.

He emphasized that these bridges are in everyone’s interest because they make life easier for citizens regardless of their ethnicity. Aliçkaj also said that the Kosovo Police are demonstrating every day that they are organized, professional and capable of guaranteeing the security of the people of Kosovo.

According to him, the work of the Kosovo Police significantly eases KFOR’s duties. This allows the mission to reduce the number of troops assigned to internal security and redirect them toward protecting the borders of the state of Kosovo.

Regarding the Deçan Monastery, Aliçkaj said the gradual assumption of responsibilities by the Kosovo Police demonstrates growing international confidence in local institutions and their ability to protect sites of cultural importance.

He stated that the Deçan Monastery has historically always been guarded and protected by Albanians because it represents a national treasure, despite, according to him, having been forcibly and illegally appropriated by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Aliçkaj added that the Kosovo Police have earned the international community’s trust in their ability to protect Kosovo’s cultural heritage.

Commenting on the Serbian List’s objections to KFOR’s decisions, he said such a reaction was expected and reflected opposition to the strengthening of Kosovo’s institutions. According to him, the development sends a clear message to Belgrade.

Aliçkaj described the Serbian List as a hostile organization installed and controlled by the Serbian regime with the aim of destroying Kosovo. He said Belgrade’s dreams of reoccupying Kosovo cannot be realized. According to him, the sooner the Serb minority distances itself from the influence of the Serbian List and Serbia, accepts the state of Kosovo and serves it, the better it will be for the community.

This process is also expected to become part of the domestic political debate, particularly in relation to the opposition and its position toward the achievements of Kosovo’s institutions. Aliçkaj said clashes between political parties should not obstruct the functioning of the state.

He accused Kosovo’s opposition of continuing to boycott the state, as well as denying and disregarding this achievement and every other result achieved by Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition. Aliçkaj emphasized that Kurti received the votes of citizens to govern for a third time.

According to him, instead of implementing the will of the people, enabling normal governance and voting for a consensual, nonpartisan president, the opposition is continuing the same destructive actions, which citizens understand and punish. He stated that the sooner opposition leaders distance themselves from Rama, Grenell, the oligarchs and the press that has sold itself to Kosovo’s enemies, the better it will be both for them and for the Republic of Kosovo.

In conclusion, Aliçkaj called for developments in the security sector to be assessed beyond party interests and as part of the process of strengthening the state of Kosovo.

He concluded his statement to “Bota Sot” by saying that citizens’ votes cannot be won without a positive and realistic governing program. According to Agim Aliçkaj, the state must not be harmed in the hope that doing so will weaken a political opponent, because without a state there can be no political parties.