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NATO discusses reopening Ibër bridge in Kosovo amid Serbian opposition
Tensions are rising in Kosovo regarding the potential reopening of the Ibër bridge to vehicle traffic. The bridge, which connects the Serbian and Albanian sectors of Mitrovica, has been restricted to pedestrians since the 1999 war.
NATO's KFOR mission has announced plans to allow vehicle traffic on the bridge, a move supported by Kosovo authorities but strongly opposed by Serbia. Kosovo's Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, described the gradual withdrawal of KFOR troops and the reduction of Kosovo Police presence on the bridge as a positive development that would benefit all communities.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has expressed sharp opposition, sending a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Vučić demanded that KFOR and the UN stop what he characterized as the persecution of Serbs and the demolition of homes. He warned that a KFOR withdrawal from the bridge could lead to a final confrontation with the Serbian population in northern Kosovo. Additionally, Vučić previously suggested that Serbia could divert the Ibër river's waters as a response to the situation.
Entities
Aleksandar Vučić · European Union · KFOR · Mark Rutte · Mitrovica · NATO · Xhelal Svecla
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] Kosovo's Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, welcomed the gradual withdrawal of KFOR troops and the reduction of Kosovo Police presence on the bridge. aktuale.mk · ekonomiaonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte demanding an end to what he described as terrorism, persecution, and house demolitions against Serbs. www.capital.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] NATO stated that any decision to reopen the Ibër bridge to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. aktuale.mk · ekonomiaonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] President Vučić suggested Serbia could divert the waters of the Ibër river to penalize the Kosovo leadership. www.capital.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] KFOR is planning to allow vehicle traffic on the bridge over the Ibër river, which has been closed to vehicles since the 1999 war. www.capital.gr · www.iefimerida.gr