KFOR begins leadership transition and discusses Ibër Bridge status

KFOR NATO Kosovo command rotation Ibër Bridge

NATO's KFOR mission in Kosovo has begun the official handover process for its next leadership rotation. Italian Major General Roberto Vergori has been designated as the incoming commander, with Turkish Brigadier General Onur Çakıcı appointed as the next deputy commander. The transition includes a Key Leader Training program in Pristina to ensure operational continuity and readiness, with the formal transfer of authority expected to conclude this autumn.

Separately, Admiral George Wikoff, NATO's commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, stated that the decision to fully open the Ibër Bridge—which connects North Mitrovica to South Mitrovica—rests with Kosovo and the European Union. KFOR is currently developing a process to limit its troop presence on the bridge, which is presently restricted to pedestrians. This move is part of an optimization process following improvements in the local security situation, though Serbia has previously contested the transfer of bridge responsibilities to the Kosovo Police.

Entities

KFOR · NATO · Onur Çakıcı · Roberto Vergori · Özkan Ulutaş

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The handover process between the current and future leadership will conclude this autumn. gazeta.mk · lajmi.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] KFOR is developing a process to limit its presence on the Ibër Bridge. informim.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Major General Roberto Vergori has been appointed as the next commander of KFOR. gazeta.mk · lajmi.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Brigadier General Onur Çakıcı of the Turkish Army has been appointed as the next deputy commander. gazeta.mk · lajmi.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Decisions regarding the opening of the Ibër Bridge must be made by Kosovo and the European Union. informim.net