KFOR MSU Commander at Ibar Bridge: We May Review the Deployment, but Commitment and Readiness Remain Unchanged

Colonel Gianfranco Di Fiore, commander of KFOR’s Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU), has visited the unit’s troops who continue to be stationed at the Ibar Bridge.

During the visit, he said that any possible change in the positioning of the forces would not affect their commitment, readiness or duties.

KFOR previously announced that it was considering reducing its military presence on the bridge and transferring responsibilities to the Kosovo Police.

The bridge over the Ibar currently allows only pedestrian traffic, while vehicles cannot cross. It was closed after the end of the war in 1999 and for years has been a tense point between ethnic communities.

According to NATO, the gradual withdrawal of troops from the bridge is linked to the optimization of KFOR’s deployment following an improvement in the security situation in Kosovo.

However, KFOR stresses that it will continuously monitor the situation on the ground and maintain a deployment adapted to the goal of ensuring lasting security for all residents of Kosovo.

KFOR personnel will continue to be stationed in the areas around the bridge.