Wrote: Endrit Berisha
A headline claimed that the Bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica remained empty and that the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, had left it.
The publication was made by the Albanian language medium "ntv.al" on August 17.
What's wrong with the title?
After verifying the facts, it turns out that the headline “KFOR leaves, bridge remains empty/ NATO’s latest move on the Ibar” is unfounded. The headline is not based on the content of the article itself, nor on the latest developments surrounding the bridge, nor on the official positions of KFOR and Kosovo institutions.
The article begins with an opinion piece by analyst Ognjen Gogić for the Serbian-language media outlet Danas. He said that the Ibar Bridge issue is “the deepest crisis in relations between Pristina and QUINT so far.”
Excerpt from the article in question:
"The condition for the bridge to be opened for road traffic is that the carabinieri withdraw from it. And since KFOR has expressly stated that it does not intend to withdraw, the only alternative is for the Kosovo police to try to forcefully remove the carabinieri from the bridge. This sounds like an impossible option. For this reason, KFOR announced that it will not hesitate to use "all necessary measures" to prevent destabilization, which is a euphemism for the use of force," Gogic assessed.
According to him, Ambassador Hovenier's statements about the danger to American soldiers also suggest that KFOR is aware that there is a risk of conflict with the Kosovo police.
Gogic also stated that Belgrade and the Serbs in northern Kosovo have clearly defined their positions and should now stand aside and leave it to the QUINT states to resolve their relations with Pristina. According to him, Albin Kurti is trying to wage psychological warfare against KFOR.
"If KFOR surrenders and agrees to withdraw from the bridge due to Pristina's demands, then its presence in Kosovo loses its meaning and all soldiers should leave and go home," the Serbian analyst emphasized.
Article link:
If you search online for the words "KFOR is leaving the Ibri Bridge" in the last 24 hours, there is no credible source of information confirming such a thing (see here).
What are the latest positions of the institutions?
In a press release on August 13, KFOR said it has a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo, including the main bridge over the Ibar River (see here).
Excerpt from the KFOR statement:
"We have a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo and the KFOR commander has the authority to adapt it as needed and will not hesitate to act in response to any significant security developments and in accordance with our UN mandate."
KFOR also has a designated presence at the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica and conducts regular patrols in the surrounding areas. We reaffirm that any decision regarding the Ibar Bridge should be taken through political dialogue and in a coordinated manner. In this regard, we continue to fully support the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
It is essential that all actors refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions. This is key to sustainable security throughout Kosovo – for the benefit of all people and communities – and to regional stability.”
After this announcement, there was no statement from KFOR that it had decided to remove its presence from this bridge.
Continuously, KFOR forces, namely the Italian Carabinieri, have been standing on this bridge (details).
Also on August 13, KFOR Commander Özkan Ulutas met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. One of the topics discussed was the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica.
Excerpt from the Government's statement:
Among the central topics was the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica as a right, necessary and beneficial thing. Prime Minister Kurti informed the KFOR commander about the general works being carried out on the main bridge over the Ibar River and the results of the preliminary report on the assessment of the bridge's sustainability, submitted by the economic operator to the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure. In the framework of the necessary steps taken by the Government for the opening of the bridge, he also recalled the public meeting with the citizens of North Mitrovica, organized on August 8 by the municipality of North Mitrovica, where citizens from the Serbian community, non-governmental organizations and representatives from the central and local levels, as well as KFOR and EULEX, were present. (see here)
And the next day, on August 14, at the 216th meeting of the Government, in his address, Kurti pledged to "continue consultations and coordination with partners" on the issue of opening the bridge.
"The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, and I as Prime Minister, deeply believe that freedom of movement and the rule of law on the one hand, as well as peace and security on the other, are possible together and necessary for the country, society and state, citizens and communities. We will continue consultations and coordination with our partners. The opening of the bridge is not against anyone, much less our partners. Kosovo is a normal state, and its bridges should be normal, which means open," Kurti said (see here).
Context:
In early August, the Ibar Bridge was tested for its sustainability for vehicle traffic, as part of a plan by the Government of Kosovo. The Government's plan to open the bridge that separates southern Mitrovica from northern Mitrovica was opposed by the US, the EU and the QUINT countries. In the north, there have also been protests by Serbian citizens who have opposed the opening of the bridge. The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, stated in an interview for Radio Free Europe that there is a real risk that opening the bridge in Mitrovica at this time could affect the safety of NATO soldiers, including American ones.
Analyze:
The Albanian language media outlet "ntv.al" incorrectly claimed in a headline that KFOR has left the Ibar Bridge and that it is now empty.
After verifying the facts, hibrid.info has found that the headline “KFOR leaves, the bridge remains empty/ NATO's latest move on the Ibar” is unfounded. It is not based on the content of the article itself, nor on the latest developments surrounding the bridge, nor on the official positions of KFOR and Kosovo institutions.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info considers this publication as "Disinformation".
Reasoning:
A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.