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

The improved security situation in Kosovo has prompted KFOR to announce the gradual relocation of its permanent presence from the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica.

Alongside this process, the Kosovo Police have begun taking over security responsibilities at the main Ibar Bridge. Other responsibilities in the area surrounding the Deçan Monastery are also being gradually transferred to the police.

The development is considered a significant step toward strengthening the ability of Kosovo’s institutions to guarantee security throughout the country. At the same time, it is also seen as a political signal to Belgrade and to those who oppose the strengthening of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Commenting on the issue for “Bota sot,” Albanian activist in the United States Agim Aliçkaj said KFOR’s announcement was extremely positive news for the state of Kosovo.

In his assessment, it demonstrates that Kosovo’s institutions are continuing their work and assuming an increasing number of responsibilities in the security sector.

Aliçkaj said the gradual transfer of oversight of the main Ibar Bridge and the step-by-step involvement of the Kosovo Police in securing the Deçan Monastery were very positive developments for Kosovo. According to him, although the formation of institutions has faced problems caused mainly by obstruction from the election losers, the state has not ceased to function. He added that, in such cases, many voices attempt to claim a major achievement for themselves, recalling the saying that success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. Nevertheless, Aliçkaj stressed that most of the credit belongs to Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo Police.

Speaking about the significance of the Ibar Bridge, he described it as a key point for unifying Mitrovica and integrating the north into the functioning of the state of Kosovo.

According to Aliçkaj, bridges serve to bring people closer together, while the Ibar Bridge represents a symbol of the unification of Mitrovica and northern Kosovo, as well as of the country’s functioning as a strong and unified state throughout its internationally recognized territory. He said that after the risk of a confrontation with KFOR emerged over the main bridge across the Ibar, the Kosovo government made a strategic retreat. According to him, the executive made a measured and very wise decision to build new bridges over the Ibar River, a project that was completed quickly and professionally.

Aliçkaj said the new bridges had changed the significance of the main Ibar Bridge. Their operation, according to him, showed that traffic and links between the different parts of Mitrovica could function normally without posing a risk to the communities living in the north.

He said the construction of the new bridges diminished the importance of the KFOR-controlled bridge and, at the same time, demonstrated that their use is entirely normal and poses no threat to residents of northern Kosovo, including the Serb minority. On the contrary, according to Aliçkaj, they benefit everyone by making life easier for citizens regardless of ethnicity. He added that the Kosovo Police are increasingly demonstrating their organization, professionalism and ability to guarantee the security of the people of Kosovo. According to him, this significantly eases KFOR’s task, allowing it to reduce the number of troops assigned to internal security and focus them on protecting the borders of the state of Kosovo.

Regarding the Deçan Monastery, Aliçkaj said the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the Kosovo Police demonstrates growing international confidence in local institutions and their capacity to protect sites of cultural value.

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

Referring to the Serbian List’s objections to KFOR’s decisions, Aliçkaj said its reactions reflect opposition to the strengthening of Kosovo’s institutions. According to him, the development sends a clear message to Belgrade.

Aliçkaj said the Serbian List’s opposition to KFOR’s decisions was predictable. He described it as a hostile organization established and controlled by the Serbian regime with the aim of destroying Kosovo. According to him, Belgrade must clearly understand that its dreams of reoccupying Kosovo cannot be realized. He added that it would be better for the Serb minority to break away from the Serbian List and Serbia as soon as possible, accept the state of Kosovo and place itself at its service.

The issue is also expected to feature in the domestic political debate, particularly in relation to the opposition and its approach to the achievements of Kosovo’s institutions. In Aliçkaj’s assessment, clashes between the parties should not undermine the functioning of the state.

He accused the Kosovo opposition of continuing to boycott the state, as well as disregarding and denying this achievement and every other result achieved by Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition. Aliçkaj said Kurti won the votes of citizens to govern for a third term. According to him, instead of implementing the will of the people, enabling normal governance and voting for a nonpartisan, consensus president, the opposition is continuing the same destructive actions, which citizens understand and punish. He added that it would be in the interests of the opposition leaders and the Republic of Kosovo for them to distance themselves as soon as possible from Rama, Grenell, the oligarchs and the press that, according to him, has sold itself to Kosovo’s enemies.

In conclusion, Aliçkaj emphasized that the security developments should be assessed beyond party interests and as part of the process of consolidating the state of Kosovo.

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