Analysts: Through the Ibar Bridge, Kurti is trying to take control of northern Kosovo

Belgrade analysts believe that the announcement of the opening of the main bridge on the Ibar River between South and North Mitrovica conceals Pristina's intention to gradually take control of the north and to remove a symbol of Serbian resistance, reports Euronews Serbia.

Former diplomat Zoran Milivojevic says that this is an attempt by Pristina to gradually seize the north.

"This is one of the elements in the complete seizure of northern Kosovo and Metohija, aimed at realizing the main goal, which is to confirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity over the entire territory of Kosovo and Metohija, including, of course, the north... The bridge is important because it is a symbol of that territorial integrity and sovereignty of the 'Kosovo state'. The bridge was a kind of 'border,' as the north of Kosovo and Metohija had a different status, and it challenged the territorial integrity of the 'state of Kosovo'," Milivojevic said.

According to him, by conquering and opening that bridge, the symbolism disappears.

"So, Kurti's policy and strategy, which brought him to power, is to ensure full sovereignty and territorial integrity. They see the bridge as a symbol of that. It does not have substantial significance, it means nothing for traffic or normal functioning, as there are two other bridges that work without problems. Moreover, by attempting to open it, there is a direct risk of conflict," Milivojevic stated.

He emphasized that how Western powers will handle this issue and whether they will prevent its opening is crucial.

"It does not depend on us in Serbia, nor does it depend on Pristina, which has no intention of giving up on it. Therefore, it solely depends on them whether they will prevent it... This is a political-strategic issue where it is not about a mandate, but about whether they have an interest in staying on the political terrain or allowing the risk of conflict," Milivojevic added.

Dusan Janjic, Director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations and political analyst, added that the bridge has long been a subject of "political skirmishing" and explained that it became a symbol of some sort of ethnic division as far back as 1999. He recalls that almost all Serbs living in the southern part moved to the north or went further away.

"The bridge is a symbol, a line, a kind of defense barrier. It was also a point of exchange and crossing for people," Janjic said, adding that the issue of the Ibar bridge is a kind of "political game" through which Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti is trying to show that he has full control over northern Kosovo.

"In essence, he only has police control; he still does not have complete administrative or judicial control, etc. So, that is one motive... This is now a very risky moment because both sides are behaving in the same way," Janjic said, adding that Kurti is trying to show that life in northern Kosovo is completely normalized.