Presence added to Ibër Bridge, KFOR declared

KFOR has said that additional personnel on the main bridge over the Iber River are as part of “periodic training”.

The “Assets and additional personnel from KFOR's Specialised Multinational Unit (MSU) are being temporarily placed on the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica. This is part of the periodic training KFOR conducts to test its long-standing procedures and maintain the highest operational standards”, KFOR told Express.

KFOR also holds a fixed presence on the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica and continues to conduct regular patrols in surrounding areas.

Mission NATO said it is monitoring the security situation in northern Kosovo and that “remains alert”.

“[ KFOR is determined to take all necessary measures to continue fulfilling its mandate by the UN to contribute to a safe environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo, at any time and impartially, and to respond to any further surveyant development<1>.

KFOR reiterated that it acts as the third security reacter, in close co-ordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU's mission for the Rule of Law (EULEX), respectively as the first and second security responder.

These KFOR trainings come amid efforts by the Government of Kosovo to open the Ibër Bridge as well as to circulate vehicles. KFOR's position on this is that this issue should be discussed in Brussels' dialogue.

The same position is held by Kosovo partners who have called on the government not to take such action at this time. The US has said this could endanger the lives of KFOR soldiers and citizens alike.

The government also recently received criticism from allied countries even for a police action that ended with the closure of five illegal municipalities in the country's north.

In their reactions, these countries said the issue of Serbia's parallel structures in Kosovo should be resolved within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

A day after this action, KFOR soldiers were seen on August 31st at the Ibër Bridge and KFOR gave the same answer that their added presence was “currently” and as “part of periodic training”.

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