The Serbian branch of the Russian media outlet "Sputnik", "Sputnik Srbija", has published an article on July 19, claiming the gradual withdrawal of KFOR forces from several positions in Kosovo. Through this claim, the reporting is built on an alarmist narrative about the security of Serbs. The article claims that “the withdrawal of KFOR from the bridge between the two Mitrovicas and from the Deçan monastery would mean giving the green light to the completion of the ethnic cleansing of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija”, adding that such a step “should not be allowed”.
This media outlet bases this entire claim on a statement by Serbian historian Miloš Damjanović, who, according to the article, refers to speculation about a massive withdrawal of troops from the aforementioned locations.
"This is what historian from Kosovo and Metohija, Miloš Damjanović, said regarding speculation that it is planned to completely withdraw KFOR forces from the bridge between North and South Mitrovica in early August, as well as to begin the gradual withdrawal of Italian KFOR members from the Serbian holy site of the Dečani monastery," writes "Sputnik Serbia".
The article further talks about plans for the withdrawal of KFOR forces, although it does not cite sources.
"According to plans, the KFOR forces in the Deçan Monastery will be replaced by the so-called Kosovo Police. Knowing the stance towards Serbian holy sites, Damjanović says that this will not mean any protection," he writes further in this article.
It also writes that the Kosovo Police cannot provide security for Serbs and Serbian religious institutions, describing it as “a direct danger to Serbs.” Along the same lines, it is claimed that the presence of the Serbian army in Kosovo would be “the only factor that would guarantee at least the physical freedom of the Serbian people and the church.”
Finally, the article reinforces the threat narrative by quoting former Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vulli, who claims that "the opening of the bridge over the Ibar and the leaving of the Deçan Monastery to the Albanians is an entry into conflicts and legalization of the KSF", calling for an immediate reaction.
This article was also distributed by the "Pravda" propaganda network in the Balkans domain, balkan.news-pravda.com.
What is known about the claim?
Historian Miloš Damjanović initially speculates about a possible withdrawal of KFOR from the bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica and from the Dečani Monastery. He then claims that this action would give the “green light” to Kosovo institutions to continue and complete the alleged “ethnic cleansing” of Serbs.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, in the context of the possible withdrawal of KFOR from the protection of the Deçan Monastery, through a response made on July 17, among numerous accusations about the position of Kosovo Serbs, claims that the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Kosovo is "increasingly difficult" and has deteriorated significantly as a result of, as alleged, "the policies of the Pristina institutions towards the Serbian community."
The Kosovo Police reacted to these claims by the Diocese, completely dismissing the claims as unfounded.
Regarding the speculation about the possible withdrawal of KFOR from the bridge over the Ibar and from the Deçan Monastery, Serbian-language portal "Kosovo Online" turned to NATO for clarification. In his response, a NATO official stressed that “our military mission remains fit for purpose and focused on places where security is most needed,” explaining that the optimization of KFOR’s presence will be done “gradually, over time and in different locations across the country,” based on ongoing security assessments and developments on the ground. The official added that this process “could be reversed” if security developments warrant it, while not confirming claims of a KFOR withdrawal from the Ibar bridge or the end of the defense of the Deçan Monastery. (here)
Since NATO’s announcement of the optimization and gradual reduction of KFOR’s presence in Kosovo, some Serbian media outlets have constructed and amplified narratives that present this process as a step towards the withdrawal of the international mission and endangering the Serbian community. These reports claim that the reduction of KFOR troops means “handing over security to Pristina”, increasing the role and control of Kosovo institutions, and gradually transferring security responsibilities to the Kosovo Police. In parallel, the narrative that this process is part of a coordinated plan for the gradual withdrawal of KFOR from Kosovo has also been promoted, thus creating uncertainty and fear for the future of the Serbian community. (here)
Analyze:
Following NATO's announcement of the gradual optimization and reduction of KFOR's presence in Kosovo, some Serbian media outlets have promoted claims that this means transferring security to Kosovo institutions and could lead to the complete withdrawal of KFOR.
These narratives have been reinforced by speculation that KFOR's withdrawal from the bridge over the Ibar River and the Deçan Monastery would give the "green light" to the end of the "ethnic cleansing" of Serbs, while the Kosovo Police is presented as a threat to the Serbian community and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
However, NATO has clarified that it is a matter of gradual optimization of KFOR's presence, based on security assessments and conditions on the ground, and that the mission continues to have an active mandate, while any changes may be reviewed if the security situation deteriorates.
Therefore, based on the working methodology, hibrid.info evaluates this claim as a "Conspiracy Theory."
Reasoning:
"Conspiracy theories" are considered to be informational content that contains a false or unverifiable description of a phenomenon, event or person, presenting it as part or the result of a secret plan ("conspiracy"). The characteristic of these contents is that they present a series of claims, presented as facts, between which cause-effect relationships are established, without providing any reliable evidence.