Serbs and Albanians from Mitrovica expressed opposing views on KFOR's gradual withdrawal from the main bridge over the Ibar River, as well as announcements that it could be reopened to traffic. While Albanians welcomed the decision, Serbian residents stressed that they felt unsafe.
KFOR confirmed to Kosovo Online yesterday that it had begun reducing its permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River, which connects South and North Mitrovica.
Kosovo Online reporters visited the main Ibar Bridge today to speak with residents about the development. They found one Carabinieri vehicle at the bridge, while three Kosovo Police officers were also present nearby.
The Serbs we spoke with were skeptical about reopening the bridge to traffic and also expressed concern over KFOR's withdrawal.
"This is nothing new. They have been saying for years that they are going to open it. Kurti has built ten bridges. As far as I am concerned, I would close it forever, but it is not up to me," one of our interlocutors said.
Another resident said that he personally did not feel unsafe, but added that the police detained and harassed other people.
"Who can feel safe in Kosovo? I do not personally feel any particular pressure, but look at what they are doing. They detain people for five days and then release them as if everything is fine, after harassing them," he said.
One woman said that she did not like the situation, but that, as she put it, nobody asked them.
"I do not like it, but who asks us? We know who makes these decisions," she noted.
Another Serbian resident of North Mitrovica said that he felt unsafe even now, while the bridge remained closed to traffic.
"It is closed and we still feel unsafe. If they open it, there would be chaos," he said.
Albanians, on the other hand, welcomed the decision to gradually reduce KFOR's presence, as well as
announcements by some politicians that the bridge could soon be reopened.
"This should have happened a long time ago. I am in favor of people walking together, going places together, meeting one another. I have nothing against it," one Albanian resident said.
Albanians crossing from South Mitrovica into North Mitrovica that day also expressed satisfaction with the decision.
"It is good for the bridge to be opened. Why not? That is my opinion," one resident said.
A third man said that the bridge should be used by both sides for constructive purposes.
"Why was the bridge built? So that people on both sides could use it for good purposes. Anyone who thinks of using it for something bad is not quite right in the head," he said.
Rapajic: Unusual for the Carabinieri to withdraw from the Ibar Bridge when the security situation is not particularly good
Aleksandar Rapajic, Program Director of the NGO Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture from North Mitrovica, told Kosovo Online that KFOR's withdrawal from one of the most important locations in the city is highly problematic for Serbs, adding that it is rather unusual for the Carabinieri to withdraw from the Ibar Bridge at a time when, according to him, the security situation is not particularly good.
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