# Serbia-Kosovo tensions over Mitrovica bridge

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-kosovo-tensions-over-mitrovica-bridge
> Updated: 2026-08-18T09:33:06.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has intensified his opposition to Western actions in Kosovo, specifically regarding the opening of the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica to vehicle traffic. Vučić described the move as a ‘civilizational shame’ and a ‘great shame and disappointment,’ arguing that the decision was made without the consent of Serbian mayors in the north. He accused KFOR Commander General Ozkan Ulutas of driving the plan and expressed his intention to petition NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to protest the development.

While the European Union stated that conditions for opening the bridge had been met, Vučić maintained that Western nations are attempting to force Kosovo’s independence to justify past political decisions. Petar Petković, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, has formally protested to EU special envoy Peter Sørensen, arguing that key prerequisites, such as the demarcation of the Suvi Do cadastral zone, remain unresolved and that the security situation makes opening the bridge unsafe for the local Serbian population.

In a significant escalation, Vučić suggested that Serbia could consider diverting the flow of the Ibër River in response to actions taken by authorities in Pristina, noting that a working group of engineers has been formed to study the project's feasibility. Experts have warned that such a diversion would be ecologically damaging, costly, and likely a violation of European regulations. Beyond the bridge, Vučić continues to cite the harassment of Serbs, house demolitions, and the physical assault of politician Nenad Rašković as evidence of a failure of global values.

## Claims

- President Vučić questioned the humanitarian grounds for keeping Ratko Mladić in prison, noting his declining health. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals denied requests to release Ratko Mladić for medical treatment in Serbia. (disputed by 3 sources)
- President Aleksandar Vučić intends to write to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to request that the bridge over the Ibar River in Kosovo not be opened to traffic. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- President Vučić is considering the possibility of diverting the flow of the Ibër River as a response to developments in Kosovo. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The European Union confirmed that conditions have been met to open the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica to traffic. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Hydrology expert Jovan Despotović described the plan to divert the Ibar River as an impossible and ecologically dangerous undertaking. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Vučić accused KFOR Commander General Ozkan Ulutas of being responsible for the plan to open the bridge. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Serbia has announced the formation of a working group of engineers to study the feasibility of diverting the Ibër River. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The decision to open the bridge was made without the approval of North Mitrovica Mayor Millan Radojevic. (single source)
- Serbian General Staff Chief Millan Mojsilovic had a tense conversation with the KFOR commander. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Vučić protests Ibar bridge opening and suggests diverting river flow

President Aleksandar Vučić is protesting the opening of the Ibar River bridge in Mitrovica and has suggested diverting the river's course, while also questioning the detention of Ratko Mladić.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbias-vui-to-petition-nato-over-mitrovica-bridge-opening

### 2026-08-17: Regional tensions rise over Belgrade's diplomatic absence and Ibar bridge security

Belgrade faces criticism for skipping the Sarajevo Mayors Summit, while officials dispute EU claims regarding the readiness to reopen the Ibar bridge in Kosovo.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belgrade-faces-criticism-over-sarajevo-summit-absence-and-ibar-bridge-dispute

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Cite as: Serbia-Kosovo tensions over Mitrovica bridge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-kosovo-tensions-over-mitrovica-bridge