Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
Serbian-language media outlet "Informer.rs" published an article yesterday (August 12) titled "Confirmed! Evil is being prepared! Kurti with Americans and Albanians is training for a drone attack before aiming to open the bridge on the Ibar by force!".
This media outlet claims that Prime Minister Albin Kurti "is apparently preparing a new attack on Serbs in Kosovo."
The article refers to the field exercise "Valor Shield 2024" of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) and the Special Forces of the Armed Forces of Albania under the observation of the US Special Operations Command for Europe.
The media outlet in question does not provide any evidence that this exercise is related to any attack on Kosovo Serbs.
Link to the article published on "Informer.rs":
Parts of the article published on "Informer.rs" translated into Albanian:
The so-called "prime minister" of the fake state, Albin Kurti, is apparently preparing a new attack on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.
Just one day after the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, warned that extremists from Pristina are preparing chaos in the north of the Republic of Kosovo, because on August 14 or 15 they intend to forcefully open the bridge over the Ibar, the so-called "Special Intervention Unit of the Kosovo Police" and the "Kosovo Security Forces" held an exercise under the supervision of the US Special Operations Command for Europe and the Special Forces of the Albanian Armed Forces.
This article also made it to the front page of the August 13 newspaper with the headline, "Kurti is preparing for war."
What's wrong with this claim?
The KSF and its partners conducted the “Valor Shield 2024” exercise, which included the KSF Special Operations, the Kosovo Police Special Intervention Unit, the Albanian Special Operations Regiment, and other supporting units. The exercise received support from the US Special Operations Command Europe and aimed to exchange experiences in dealing with complex security threats. (here)
During the exercise, they simulated various scenarios, including tactical reconnaissance operations, psychological warfare, the use of drones, and the prevention of the actions of tactical assault groups. (here)
Meanwhile, despite all the official information provided by those involved, the article published by "Informer.rs" claimed that this exercise took place after the warning of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, that "official Pristina is planning chaos in northern Kosovo, attempting to forcefully open the bridge over the Ibar on August 14 or 15."
What did the president of Serbia say?
The Serbian President, in a statement, claimed that the Ibar Bridge will open on August 14 or 15.
"On August 14 or 15, we expect the violent opening of the bridge over the Ibar. Foreign agencies will try to find new Serb leaders who will work for Kurti, but I tell them that they will not succeed. I call on KFOR to react and prevent the opening of the bridge." (here)
But the connection of the media outlet "Informer" that the "Valor Shield 2024" exercise comes a day after the declaration of Serbian President Vučić and that he intends to attack Serbs in Kosovo, is not based on any facts.
A little context on the issue of opening the Ibar Bridge
Kosovo authorities have begun preparatory procedures for opening the bridge over the Ibar River to vehicle traffic. This move has met with opposition from the international community, which has called for a new discussion in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue on the subject. At the same time, Kosovo Serbs have organized protests against the opening of the bridge. (here)
Representatives of the QUINT countries in Kosovo have publicly stated that they do not support the opening of the bridge at this time. The QUINT countries are: the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and France. (here)
The European Union has said that the issue of opening the Ibar Bridge should be a topic of dialogue with Serbia. (here)
KFOR has said that it will not hesitate to act if it observes actions near the bridge that could jeopardize the safety of citizens. (here)
Analyze:
The Serbian media outlet "Informer.rs" published an article on August 12 accusing Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of preparing an attack on Serbs in Kosovo, linking this to the "Valor Shield 2024" field exercise organized by the Kosovo Security Forces and special forces of the Albanian Armed Forces, under the supervision of the US Special Operations Command for Europe.
However, the media outlet does not provide any concrete facts linking the "Valor Shield 2024" exercise to an attack on Kosovo Serbs.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info considers this claim to be "misinformation".
Reasoning:
"Disinformation" is defined as information content that contains a "mix" of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful attributes, and that is created and/or distributed with the deliberate intention of causing harm. The motive behind the producers/distributors of disinformation content lies in achieving a political, financial, psychological or social goal.